The implementation of the health reform programme is currently under way. The current phase consists of four distinct but inter-related strands of activity which will take place under the reform programme during 2004. These strands are: the work of the interim health service executive, HSE, leading to the establishment and the orderly transfer of functions to the HSE; aspects of the reform programme for which the Department of Health and Children has 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 and the Health Boards Executive.
A number of key bodies central to the reform programme with clearly defined roles and responsibilities are now in place. The Government has appointed a national steering committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the reform programme. Its role is to provide a co-ordinating forum for actions being led in the respective strands and will ensure overall consistency with the Government's decision. It is to 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. The first meeting of the NSC took place on 16 February last.
I announced the establishment of the board of the interim HSE last November and the board has met on a number of occasions. The interim HSE is now established as a statutory body on foot of SI 90/04. Under the establishment order, the interim HSE has been given the task of drawing up a plan for the Minister's approval for: the establishment of a unified management structure for the proposed new Health Service Executive; the integration of the existing health board structures into the new Health Service Executive; the streamlining of other statutory bodies, identified in the Prospectus report, to be incorporated in the new structure; the establishment of regional boundaries for the delivery of primary, community and continuing care services; the establishment of procedures to develop a national service plan for the delivery of health services; the establishment of appropriate structures and procedures to ensure the proper governance and accountability arrangements for the proposed Health Service Executive; and the appointment of a chief executive officer.
The interim executive has also been given the task of making the necessary preparations to implement this plan, subject to ministerial approval, so as to ensure as smooth a transition as possible from the existing health board structure to the new Health Service Executive structure.
In the context of the national health strategy, the issue of the public-private mix and equity for public patients was given detailed consideration. The commitment to improve access to hospital services is being addressed through a series of integrated measures including: increased capacity for public patients — to date an additional 584 beds are in place; clarification in regard to the rules governing access to public beds; use of the national treatment purchase fund to reduce waiting times for public patients; and examination of the public-private issue in the context of a revised contract for consultants.
The appropriate public and private mix is a complex issue and one where my Department continues to monitor both the current mix and evaluate the relevant policy issues in this area.
