Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2008

Thursday, 7 February 2008

Ceisteanna (85)

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

84 Deputy Charlie O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the success of the new Health Service Executive initiative Hospital In The Home (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that this service eases a lot of pressure on hospital services and registers a high satisfaction with patients; if she will ensure the continuation of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4266/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that the Hospital in the Home service referred to by the Deputy was set up as a pilot project in the Dublin region as one of a number of such initiatives to provide treatment and support to patients who would otherwise be hospitalised.

The contract for the provision of these services, which is for one year, expires at the end of March of 2008. To date, 1414 people have availed of the service. The HSE has commissioned an evaluation of the service to assess its effectiveness from a clinical and a value for money perspective. The outcome of this evaluation is due to be presented to the HSE for consideration next month.