Written Answers. - Health Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
326
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if studies have been undertaken into the manner and methodology of the provision of health services in other jurisdictions with a view to identifying the best possible options for implementation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14437/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
327
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent to which an examination has been undertaken to identify the most cost effective means of delivering health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14438/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
A number of reports are currently being formulated in respect of the reform of the health system. The first of these relates to action 114 of the health strategy, which deals with the need to support organisation development, to clarify roles and to co-ordinate the work of organisations. Prospectus Strategy Consultants were contracted in June 2002 to complete an audit of structures and functions in the health system. The terms of reference included consideration of the structures and functions of health boards and the ERHA, as well as other specialist, advisory, regulatory and executive agencies under my aegis. The terms of reference also required Prospectus to make recommendations to improve corporate governance arrangements in the health system generally. This was to include consideration of interactions between all agencies that play a pivotal role in the system, including the Department of Health and Children.
The outcomes sought were to ensure that the structures in the system are the most appropriate and responsive to meet current and future service need; constitute an adequate framework for overall governance of the health system; achieve an effective integration of services across all parts of the system; adequately represent the views of consumers in the planning and delivery of services; and focus on the principles of equity, accountability, quality and people-centredness and the national goals of the strategy. Prospectus included, as part of the overall consultancy, a review of international health care system reforms to provide relevant insights into specific aspects of international health care structural and functional reform. It was also intended to identify structural reforms and concepts that would warrant further consideration as the reform of the Irish health service continues into the future. The research spanned eight jurisdictions.
A second report is being prepared by the national task force on medical staffing. This review is concerned with preparing a plan for the medical staffing of acute hospitals, based on the recommendations of the report of the Medical Manpower Forum in 2001 and the report of the national joint steering group on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors in 2001. The key work of the task force is to devise a strategy for reducing the average working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors; to achieve the requirements of the European working time directive; to address the consequent medical staffing needs of Irish hospitals; to analyse the practical implications of moving to a consultant-provided hospital system; and to consider the requirements for medical education and training arising from any changes to the current model of delivering services.
A third report, by the commission on financial management and control systems in the health system, was undertaken on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Finance. The commission carried out a detailed examination and review of the financial management and control systems in the health service. While the principle remit related to matters of financial management, the analysis and conclusions of the commission necessarily drew it into the organisation and configuration of the health service more generally. The commission also considered an analysis of best international practice as part of its recommendations on financial management and control systems in the health service.
These reports are at different stages of finalisation. My colleague, the Minister for Finance, has recently received the report of the commission on financial management and controls in the health service and is considering its contents. The work of the national task force on medical staffing is at an advanced stage but has not yet been finalised. I have received the final draft of the Prospectus report and I hope with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy McCreevy, to bring it and the report of the commission on financial management and controls in the health service to Government in due course.
Question No. 328 answered with Question No. 283.
