Vol. 417 No. 7
83 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the restructuring of voluntary hospital boards which are almost totally dependent on State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
145 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on recent press statements quoting him as saying that he intends to radically change the membership structures of voluntary hospital boards to allow for the representation for interested groups thereby reducing the influence of the Catholic Church on such boards.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 145 together.
I am at present engaged in a consultation process as part of the preparation of legislation to implement the Government's decisions on the restructuring of health services in the Eastern Health Board area and increased accountability in the health services in all areas. I will be submitting my proposals to the Government in the coming months with a view to bringing legislation before the Oireachtas in the autumn.
As far as the management of hospitals is concerned, it is my intention that health agencies will be encouraged, in the interest of the best and most efficient provision of health care, to involve in their management in a real way the professions who deliver that care.
