Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012
70 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress made on developing a universal single-tier health service which guarantees access to medical care based on needs not income as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8497/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to fundamental reform of the health system. This will see the delivery of a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, which will ensure equal access to care based on need, not income. The universal health insurance system will be based on the principle of social solidarity. Every citizen will have a choice of insurer and will have equal access to a comprehensive range of curative services.
There are a number of key initiatives in the reform programme which will underpin the introduction of universal health insurance and significant work has been undertaken to progress these. Firstly, the Programme for Government commits to significant strengthening of the primary care sector to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier. Access to primary care without fees will be extended on a phased basis over the life of this Government. The Minister for Primary Care has established the Universal Primary Care Project Team which has been tasked with working through the issues relating to this commitment. Initially, it is intended to provide GP visit cards to persons in receipt of drugs and medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. It is hoped that the new arrangements will be in place by early Summer.
Significant reform of the acute hospital sector is also underway. I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) which has been tasked with unblocking access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. Since the establishment of the SDU, a number of initiatives have been put in place which are having a positive effect on numbers waiting for both scheduled and unscheduled care. Furthermore, one of the priorities for the SDU in 2012 is to begin the work to transform public hospitals into independent not-for-profit trusts, as provided for in the Programme for Government. The first step in achieving this is the establishment of initial hospital groups and work on this is beginning immediately. Hospital groups will have a single clinical governance model, one budget and one employment ceiling.
Reform of the funding system for hospital care is also planned through the introduction of a "Money Follows the Patient" funding mechanism. To achieve this a number of initiatives are already underway including a patient level costing project and a pilot initiative in relation to prospective funding of certain elective orthopaedic procedures at selected sites.
In addition, I recently announced significant changes in the governance of the Health Service Executive under which the current Board/Chief Executive structure will be replaced with a Directorate or transitional governance structure. This new directorate structure will facilitate greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency, and is a key component in the move to UHI.
Delivering on the reform programme is a significant undertaking which should not be underestimated. It will require careful consideration, planning and sequencing. Cognisant of the scope and complex nature of what is planned, the Government has given approval for an Implementation Group on Universal Health Insurance to assist in developing detailed and costed implementation proposals for universal health insurance and to help drive the implementation of various elements of the reform programme. I have finalised details of the Implementation Group and these will be announced shortly.
