Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
103 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding his discussions with the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association regarding the proposed new system of medical insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7068/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra136 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the current status of the dispute regarding enterprise liability between his Department and the IHCA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6900/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 136 together.
I have kept in regular contact with the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association and the Irish Medical Organisation on the issues which led to the recent threats of industrial action by hospital consultants. At a meeting held on 17 February, the IHCA agreed to defer for a period of four weeks any further escalation of its industrial action threatened for Monday 23 February. It also agreed to resume work on patients due be treated under the national treatment purchase fund and to participate in selection boards for consultant appointments. Last Tuesday evening meetings took place with both the IHCA and the IMO to brief them on progress in the discussions which officials of my Department have had with the Medical Defence Union on resolving the problems associated with liabilities which predate the establishment of the clinical indemnity scheme.
104 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the Hanly report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7018/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra106 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in achieving the acute hospital changes envisaged for August 2004 in the two pilot areas, East Coast Area Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board in terms of additional acute beds for the two regions and additional consultants, new contracts for consultants and NCHDs, and improved ambulance access and training. [6929/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra161 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to appoint project groups to progress detailed implementation at local level of the two pilot areas identified in the Hanly report (details supplied); the provision of services and facilities required; the staffing and financial requirements involved; the timeframe envisaged for the implementation of these pilot projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7055/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 106 and 161 together.
I am committed to ensuring that the Hanly report is implemented in the best interests of patients. The recommendations will mean a much better service for patients, with considerably more consultants working in teams. The report also involves reducing the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, which will benefit both patients and doctors. In addition, the Hanly report proposes a reorganisation of our acute hospital services so that patients receive the best possible treatment in the location most appropriate to their needs.
Last month I announced the composition of an acute hospitals review group, to be chaired by David Hanly, for this purpose. It will be asked to prepare a national hospitals plan for the Interim Health Service Executive, building on the principles of the Hanly report. The group will be asked to examine the role and structure of acute hospital services on a national basis.
The Hanly report made specific recommendations on the organisation of acute hospital services in two regions, those covered by the East Coast Area Health Board and the Mid-Western Health Board. I recently announced the composition of the implementation groups in these areas. Both groups will prepare a detailed action plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Hanly report relating to the organisation of acute hospital services in the two regions. They will also assess the detailed staffing and capital requirements necessary for implementation of the report.
The Hanly report also makes important recommendations regarding the reduction in junior doctors' working hours and the development of a consultant provided service. My Department and the Health Services Employers' Agency have initiated discussions with the medical organisations on the industrial relations and contractual aspects of these issues. I am committed to pressing ahead with the agenda set by the Hanly report so that the best possible services for patients are provided.
