Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2007
39 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if her co-location plan could have adverse consequences for public patients in public hospitals due to changing work practices for consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12025/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra54 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her co-location plan could have adverse consequences for private patients in private hospitals due to the fact that doctors there will not be in recognised training schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12027/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra97 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if her co-location plan could have adverse consequences for private patients in private hospitals due to the complexity of work that is planned for these private hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12026/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 54 and 97 together.
I do not believe that the co-location of private hospitals on public hospital sites will have adverse consequences for public or private patients, whether for reasons cited by the Deputies or otherwise. It is a core requirement of the ongoing public procurement exercise that the private bidders can demonstrate to the Health Service Executive that the co-located hospital will have the staff and facilities to treat private patients that are currently receiving treatment in the public hospital. Medical and surgical services at the co-located hospital will have to be provided by appropriately qualified staff.
The co-located hospitals will be required to have a clinical governance strategy including clinical audit and to develop proposals to provide access to training within the private facility. It is a critical factor of the co-location initiative and of the new consultants contract that private work will be managed so as not to be to the detriment of public patients and public services.
