Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
80 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the status of the Hanly report; if it is her intention to implement it in full or in part; if she has measured the potential negative impact on certain hospitals throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20928/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra173 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the Hanly report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20845/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra205 Mr. Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will reverse the Government’s health policy based on the Hanly report; if she will examine other alternatives and halt the implementation of the hospital reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20666/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 173 and 205 together.
The report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing — the Hanly report — makes important proposals for reducing the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, in line with the European working time directive and highlights the need to implement changes in medical staffing to ensure safety and quality of patient care.
My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive and other health agencies with a view to achieving the required reductions in the working hours of junior doctors. Negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation in this regard are continuing. Local implementation groups have been established in nine hospitals as part of an agreed process and a detailed hospital activity analysis is under way which will inform reforms in this area.
The report recommends a significant increase in the total number of consultants, working in a consultant-provided, team-based system, so that patients can receive faster access to senior clinical decision making. While consultant contract negotiations are delayed pending resolution of issues related to medical indemnity arrangements, significant preparatory work has been undertaken within my Department in partnership with the Health Service Executive in preparation for the commencement of negotiations.
The implications of the report for postgraduate medical education and training are being examined by the medical education and training group that was originally established as part of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing.
In regard to the organisation of hospital services, I consider that the National Hospitals Office is best placed to build on the recommendations of the report in this area. The priority is to ensure that patients, wherever they live, have equitable and rapid access to high quality hospital care.
