Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Health Strategy.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

627 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 7 December 2000, the reason, contrary to the reply given, he has not met the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland in January 2001 or since; the reason they were not consulted in the consultation process for the health strategy; the date and time that he has now arranged to meet representatives of the association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2141/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The consultation process undertaken with key stakeholders in the health service in the context of the development of the health strategy was the most comprehensive ever undertaken in this country. As part of this process I wrote personally to several hundred organisations, including the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland, inviting them to make submissions. Over 300 organisations made submissions, including the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland. The views and proposals contained in the submissions fed into the development of the strategy in a very significant way.

In addition, I established a national health strategy consultative forum, representative of key stakeholders, to provide advice on key themes and the direction of the strategy. Unfortunately, due to the numbers involved it was not possible to invite all representative groups to participate directly in the forum. However, in inviting these groups to make a written submission I am satisfied that their views and proposals were taken into account. On account of the foot and mouth restrictions and the pressure of work involved in the preparation of the health strategy I was unable to meet, as planned, with the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland in March 2001 but indicated at the time the availability of officials from my Department to meet with the association. Unfortunately, owing to the very heavy schedule of Government and departmental business, it did not prove possible for me to meet with the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland subsequently. However, I have asked my officials to make contact with the association to arrange a meeting as soon as possible and to brief me fully afterwards in relation to key issues for the hospital pharmacy profession.