Robert Troy
Ceist:1025. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the date on which he intends to publish the hospital groupings [1150/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 16 January 2013
Ceisteanna (1025, 1048, 1071)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1048. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he has received the Higgins Report on Hospital Groups; if the Report has been received at the Department of Health; if not, when he expects to receive the Report; the way he intends to proceed with the Report; if he will publish the Report before he brings it to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1071. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which he or his Department will receive the report on hospital groups; the date on which he will publish the report and his plans to progress the implementation of hospital groups; if he intends to publish the report and its recommendations before it goes to Cabinet; if he will commit to maintaining the cohesion of the south east region as a single hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1497/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1048 and 1071 together.
Recommendations on the formation of specific groups and arrangements for the management and governance of all groups have been drafted as part of a report on the establishment of hospital groups as a transition to hospital trusts. This report is based on a comprehensive consultation process, as well as a significant number of submissions from stakeholders and individual citizens. These recommendations have been considered and endorsed by a Strategic Board composed of representatives with national and international expertise in health service delivery, governance and linkages with academic institutions. The report on the establishment of hospital groups as a transition to independent hospital trust will be presented formally to me by the Chair of the Strategic Board, Professor John Higgins, in the near future. I will prioritise consideration of that report, which will then be submitted to and presented to Government for decision on the hospital groups composition in light of the recommendations of the Report.