I propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 107, 140 and 170 together.
The implementation of the Government's health service reform programme centres around a number of bodies including the programme's national steering committee, the Interim Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and Children and the existing health boards/ERHA.
I announced the establishment of the board of the Interim Health Service Executive last November and it held its first meeting in January. The members of the board were selected on the basis of their respective competencies and experience in areas which are directly relevant to the governance role to be exercised by the board. I am satisfied that all board members share a strong commitment to the successful establishment and functioning of the Health Service Executive and that they act with total integrity, motivated solely by the public interest. The membership of the board of the Interim Health Service Executive is set out later in this reply.
The interim HSE has been assigned responsibility for ensuring that all necessary measures are in place to ensure an orderly transfer from existing statutory agencies of authority, responsibility and accountability for the management and delivery of publicly-funded health services. In particular, the board of the interim HSE will have responsibility for: recommending the senior management structure for the new executive; recommending regional boundaries and location of regional headquarters for primary, community and continuing care services and appropriate management structures for consideration by the Government; and within approved parameters, selection and appointment of a chief executive officer to the HSE and subsequent appointments at senior management level.
The work to be undertaken by the interim HSE is one of four distinct but interrelated strands of activity taking place under the reform programme during 2004. The other three strands are: the legislative, mainstreaming, human resource and industrial relations aspects of the reform programme for which the Department of Health and Children will continue to have lead responsibility; the work of the Acute Hospitals Review Group chaired by Mr. David Hanly; and the ongoing management of the health system and internal preparations for the new organisation and governance arrangements being led by the chief executive officers of health boards/ERHA and the Health Boards Executive.
The Government has also appointed a national steering committee to oversee the implementation reform programme and to provide a co-ordinating forum and ensure overall consistency with the Government's decision. It will report on a regular basis to the Cabinet committee on the health strategy, ensuring that the Government is kept fully informed on all important issues. It will liaise with the health reform project office in the Department of Health and Children and the Interim Health Service Executive in the implementation process.
The membership of the national steering committee is also set out later in this reply. I am satisfied that the members of the committee reflect the appropriate mix of competencies and experience to support their role in the implementation of the health reform programme. The committee is made up of the executive chair of the interim HSE, chairman; heads of the Departments involved; the chair of the Acute Hospitals Review Group; the director of the Health Boards Executive and chief executive officer of a health board; and two external members with personal experience of large-scale change management in a private sector context.
I am satisfied that all members of the group share a strong commitment to the successful implementation of the health reform programme and act with total integrity motivated by the public interest. In particular, I am satisfied that, given the specific role of the national steering committee, no conflict of interest arises for any member of the group.
Both bodies are subject to the usual norms in regard to all public bodies, including the adoption of formal procedures to address any particular instance where a conflict of interest might arise for a particular member or members.
I would like to take this opportunity to express the Government's appreciation to the members of both bodies for their agreement to take on the demanding roles assigned to them and I look forward to working closely with both over the months and years ahead.
In regard to continuity of services in 2004, each of the health boards and the ERHA have submitted service plans to me setting out the quantum of service to be provided during 2004 for the funding received. All of the services plans were adopted by their boards/ERHA and I am assured that services will be provided in accordance with the service plans. My Department will continue to monitor performance in regard to service plans during 2004 in the usual manner.
The changes on which we are embarking put emphasis on the improvement and enhancement of patient/client experience as well as improving the experience of staff working in the health system and overall value for money. Various measures are being put in place during 2004 to ensure an orderly transition to the new structures and this will be the subject of ongoing discussions with the health boards/ERHA during 2004.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
Board members of the Interim Health Services Executive:
1.
Mr Kevin Kelly (chair)
2.
Professor Niamh Brennan
3.
Professor John A. Murray
4.
Dr Donal de Buitleir
5.
Professor Michael Murphy
6.
Mr Liam Downey
7.
Professor Anne Scott
8.
Mr P.J. Fitzpatrick
9.
Mr Michael McLoone
10.
Mr Eugene McCague
11.
Dr Maureen Gaffney
National Steering Committee Health Service Reform Programme Members:
Mr Kevin Kelly —Chair (Mr Kelly has also been appointed as Executive Chair of the Board of the Interim Health Service Executive)
Mr David Hanly —(Mr Hanly chairs the Acute Hospitals Review Group)
Mr Michael Kelly —Secretary General, Department of Health and Children
Mr Dermot McCarthy —Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach
Mr David Doyle —Second Secretary General, Public Expenditure, Department of Finance
Mr Denis Doherty —Chairman, Health Boards Executive
Mr Seán Hurley —Chief Executive Officer, Southern Health Board
Mr Michael Dempsey —Managing Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Ms Maura McGrath —McGrath Associates, Management Consultant.