Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Care and Treatment.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

This country is fortunate in having a first class hospital service staffed by highly trained professionals. While the quality of care and treatment provided are already of a high standard, improvements continue to be made in the delivery of services to patients.

A fundamental objective of Government policy is to ensure equitable access to necessary care. This objective is being pursued first, through the operation of controlled admission arrangements and second, through the waiting list initiative.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients was published to ensure that the health service becomes more responsive to the needs of individual patients and that there is a code of practice available which sets out what patients have a right to expect when they make use of hospital services. I am satisfied in general with the way in which health boards and hospitals have implemented the provisions of the Charter. In theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work, the Government undertook to review the effectiveness of the Charter so as to make any necessary improvements and to ensure that it provides a properly structured system of patients' rights. This work is ongoing.

As I have previously stated in the House, I am committed to progress the whole area of service quality, from clinical outcome to patient satisfaction generally. In the new National Health Strategy,Shaping a Healthier Future, I have brought forward a range of proposals to promote quality in all aspects of our health and personal social services.

Three principles underpin the entire strategy: equity, quality of service and accountability. As I have said, we enjoy a first rate hospital service which continues to improve. It is important, however, to demonstrate effectiveness and value for money. The strategy emphasises the constant measurement and evaluation of quality through clinical audit and consumer surveys and sets out new arrangements for improved legal and financial accountability.

In addition, under the terms of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993, the Director of Value For Money Audit will be conducting two value for money audit projects in the health boards and health agencies. I have appointed a liaison officer within my Department to facilitate and assist the Director in his investigations.