Vol. 552 No. 1
268 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if the national primary care task force, as outlined in his health strategy, has been established; the make-up of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11011/02]
278 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent criticisms by a person (details supplied) regarding the delay in the establishment of the primary care task force. [11051/02]
287 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if the national primary care task force, as outlined in his Department's health strategy, has been established; the make-up of the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11111/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 278 and 287 together.
I have recently appointed the primary care task force, which is a small group of officials drawn from my Department and from the health boards. There was some delay in arranging for the release of the members to serve on the task force, but I am confident that this will be made up for as the task force carries out its work. The task force, which had its first meeting on 9 April, will drive the implementation of Primary Care: A New Direction, the primary care strategy which I launched as part of the health strategy. The task force is interdisciplinary and will report to a wider steering group, which will include representatives from primary care professional groups, unions, the community and voluntary sector and other relevant stakeholders. The steering group will be chaired by Professor Ivan Perry, University College Cork. The work of the task force will have to involve a detailed process of communication with stakeholders to ensure that people are informed of and involved in the developments which will take place in the coming years.
