Tuesday, 18 Oct 2016

Written Answers Nos. 85-109

Abortion Services Provision

Ceisteanna (85)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

85. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to ensure that information relating to termination of pregnancy that is being provided is factual; the way the regulation of information will be ensured if agencies dispensing information are not part of a regulated profession under the auspices of his Department; if he has had any discussions with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in respect of the regulation of advertisements by agencies, groups and others to ensure the factuality of information provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30500/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Act, 1995 defines the conditions under which information relating to abortion services lawfully available in another state might be made available in Ireland. Sections (3) and (5) of the 1995 Act provide that information on termination of pregnancy must be "..truthful and objective" , section (10) provides that a breach of section (3) or section (5)is an offence. If an individual(s) considers that information provided under the Act is not truthful and objective then they may refer the matter to the Garda for investigation.

The role of the Minister or Communications, Climate Action and Environment in connection to advertising only relates to the broadcasting sector and this area is regulated by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Question No. 86 answered with Question No. 44.

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Ceisteanna (87)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects provisions now in place to deal with overcrowding at accident and emergency centres at general hospitals throughout the winter months; the extent to which the emergence of primary care centres is deemed to be alleviating the overcrowding situation in the accident and emergency departments; if he is satisfied that all available space currently and potentially available to existing general hospitals can be utilised in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30612/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

To date, the HSE has reported a year-on-year increase of approximately 5% in Emergency Department attendances. Despite increased demand, there has been a decrease of almost 5% in numbers of patients waiting on trolleys.

My Department, working with the HSE, has been driving a range of integrated initiatives to alleviate overcrowding in EDs, including: reducing attendances by expanding primary care services, providing additional home help and homecare packages, increasing hospital capacity and improving how hospitals manage demand for emergency care.

Primary care services are being expanded to alleviate pressures on EDs. 13 Community Intervention Teams are in place and in the first half of 2016 have reduced hospital bed requirements by approximately 73 beds per day. 92 Primary Care centres have opened with a further 39 centres at the preliminary stages of development. A project to increase access to diagnostic services in GP surgeries is currently delivering approximately 1,300 ultrasounds per month, while the GP Minor Surgery pilot has delivered just over 4,200 procedures since commencement. Also, in the first half of 2016 usage of out-of-hours GP services increased by 14% on last year.

In September the HSE published the “Winter Initiative 2016 – 2017”, which provides €40 million of additional funding for winter preparedness. Under this Initiative, Community Intervention Team services are being expanded in four regions of the country and the availability of aids and appliances in primary care has been increased to facilitate patients being discharged from hospital back to their own homes.

Hospital Trusts

Ceisteanna (88)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

88. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed creation of hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The establishment of Hospital Groups represents a very significant reform of our hospital services. As I have stated previously, I intend to continue to implement Hospital Groups on an administrative basis.

An Oireachtas All-Party Committee has been established to develop a single long-term vision for healthcare over a 10 year period. It is important that those discussions are progressed before we give further consideration to the issue of establishing Hospital Groups on a legislative basis.

Until the legislation is advanced, Hospital Groups will continue to operate within the existing policy and accountability frameworks of the Department of Health and the HSE.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (89)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

89. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if there is a serious threat of closure regarding a number of psychiatric day centres in County Roscommon including Strokestown, Ballaghaderreen and Boyle; if services are being wound down at a centre (details supplied); his plans for residents; his views on the deteriorating state of mental health services in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30301/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Maternity Services Provision

Ceisteanna (90, 489)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

90. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in introducing the 20-week maternity scan into Cavan General Hospital; the action taken to date; if there is a timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30298/16]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

489. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in introducing the 20-week full detailed anatomy scan into Cavan General Hospital; the action taken to date; if there is a timeframe its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30299/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 489 together.

The HSE National Service Plan 2016 commits to the planning and development of equitable access to antenatal anomaly screening in all maternity units in the context of emerging maternity networks. In addition, the National Maternity Strategy is clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years.

The HSE has advised that while the availability of anomaly scans is not consistent around the country at present, where a woman requires a detailed scan, she can be clinically referred to a unit where the full service is available.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Mental Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (91)

Darragh O'Brien

Ceist:

91. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for psychiatry of old age service teams staff levels in CHO 9 in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30679/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (92)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

92. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide specific evidence of the implementation of the national maternity strategy; his views regarding the funds that have been made available for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30355/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Women & Infants Health Programme will lead the implementation of Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016-2026. The Programme will lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, across primary, community and secondary care, strengthening such services by bringing together work that is currently undertaken across a number of divisions. Work to establish the Programme Leadership Team continues.

Pending the establishment of the Programme, work to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy is ongoing. €3 million development funding provided for maternity services in 2016 has been allocated in line with the Strategy, and includes funding for additional staff, including 100 midwives, for the development of specialist bereavement teams and for the implementation of the Maternal and Newborn Clinical Management System. Such development follows the additional €2 million allocated in 2015. Increased funding will be provided for maternity services in 2017 which will allow for the continued implementation of the Strategy.

I should also draw the Deputy's attention to the progress which is being made in relation to the development of a set of National Clinical Guidelines for maternity services. These guidelines, which will underpin the Strategy, will be quality assured by the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee. My Department is engaged with HSE and the Clinical Lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology in relation to the guidelines.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with further information on the initiatives referred to in this response.

Ambulance Service

Ceisteanna (93)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

93. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed review of the provision of ambulance services in County Tipperary; if he will undertake that this review will not lead to a reduction in the number of national ambulance service vehicles in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30670/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Ambulance Service has undergone a programme of modernisation in recent years and a number of significant service innovations and developments have taken place. These developments will continue in 2017 with increased funding which will be available to the National Ambulance Service for 2017.

With regard to the specific enquiry raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Care of the Elderly Funding

Ceisteanna (94)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

94. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if the extra funding provided for in budget 2017 will meet the demand assessed by the HSE for all home care packages and home help hours required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30698/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I am pleased to say that overall funding for services for older people has increased to €765 million in 2017 - an increase of €82 million since the HSE’s 2016 Service Plan. This has focused on additional funding for homecare in particular and is aimed at allowing people to continue to live in their own homes and at facilitating discharge of older people from acute hospitals.

Since the Government took Office, we have significantly increased the funding available for homecare. An additional €40m (including €10m as part of the forthcoming Winter initiative) already provided in 2016 represented an increase of over 13% in the total funding available, and means that the number of Home Care Packages provided this year will increase from 15,450 to 15,800 and home help hours from 10.4 million to 10.57 million.

The Winter Initiative will also provide another €1.4m for homecare this year which will provide a further 650 Packages by year's end. These will be targeted at 10 specific hospitals to allow people to be discharged home quickly. Over 2016 the number of Home care Packages being provided will have increased by 1,000.

In 2017, €14.6m of the Winter Initiative will be to fund homecare, and there will be another €3.8m to maintain existing levels of service and €10m for new developments. Details of the services to be provided with these funds will be set out in the coming weeks in the forthcoming HSE 2017 National Service Plan.

Demand for homecare has increased significantly in recent years and this is a continuing trend. This is due to a number of factors including long-run demographic trends, an increased desire on the part of many older people to stay in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and continuing requirements to support discharges from acute hospitals. The resources available for homecare came under severe pressure in recent years because of the wider economic environment, and this, coupled with the other factors that I have already mentioned means that we have a good deal of ground to make up. I think we have made a very substantive start to that process but it will take some time to get to where we would ideally want to be in terms of home care services.

Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 59.

Home Care Packages Funding

Ceisteanna (96)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

96. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the budget 2017 allocation for home care in terms of the spend on private and HSE-provided home help; the detail in terms of not-for-profit and for-profit agencies; the number of additional hours this will equate to per each spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30514/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I am pleased to say that overall funding for services for older people has increased to €765 million in 2017 - an increase of €82 million since the HSE’s 2016 Service Plan. This has focused on additional funding for homecare in particular and is aimed at allowing people to continue to live in their own homes and at facilitating discharge of older people from acute hospitals.

Since the Government took Office, we have significantly increased the funding available for homecare. An additional €40m (including €10m as part of the forthcoming Winter initiative) already provided in 2016 represented an increase of over 13% in the total funding available, and means that the number of Home Care Packages provided this year will increase from 15,450 to 15,800 and home help hours from 10.4million to 10.57 million.

The Winter Initiative will also provide another €1.4m for homecare this year which will provide a further 650 Packages by year's end. These will be targeted at 10 specific hospitals to allow people to be discharged home quickly. Over 2016 the number of Home care Packages being provided will have increased by 1,000.

In 2017, €14.6m of the Winter Initiative will be to fund homecare, and there will be another €3.8m to maintain existing levels of service and €10m for new developments. Details of the services to be provided with these funds will be set out in the coming weeks in the forthcoming HSE 2017 National Service Plan.

Homecare services are provided either directly by the HSE or through service agreements with private and voluntary sector providers. Approximately 85% of Home Help is provided directly by the HSE and not for profit providers. It is estimated that approximately 60% of the HCP service is delivered by arrangement with external providers.

From the 1st September 2016 all new Home Care Packages approved by the HSE will be provided by organisations that have been approved by the HSE following a detailed tender process. The approved list of home care providers is available at www.hse.ie/homecarepackageproviders.

Maternity Services

Ceisteanna (97)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

97. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the 17% deficit in the number of midwifery staff needed to run maternity services cited by the master of the Coombe hospital on 13 September 2016 at a patient safety conference run by the State Claims Agency; the steps he will take to address this deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30354/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In May, the HSE granted approval to the Hospital Groups to recruit an additional 100 midwives. The allocation of these midwives was informed by the findings of the Birth Rate Plus midwifery workforce project.

In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Mental Health Services

Ceisteanna (98)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

98. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the Economist Intelligence Unit's mental health integration index which shows Ireland lying in 11th position out of the EU 15 and 14th overall of the 30 countries studied (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30619/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I am aware of this study which was published in 2014 and is based in part on data from 2011. According to this study, Ireland is in the Top 50% of 30 EU countries analysed in terms of Mental Health integration. Since 2011, we have built on this performance, particularly in terms of funding, where the mental health budget has been increased by around 20%.

While the quantitative data used in the study is limited, it will be taken into account in the context of the forthcoming review process of 'A Vision for Change'. The Department will shortly confirm the award of a contract for an external evidence expert review and analysis of international evidence and best practice in the development of mental health services, including a review of current delivery of services in Ireland, the outcome of which will inform the parameters of a review of 'A Vision for Change.'

National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times

Ceisteanna (99)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

99. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 2,936 persons are waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30655/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.

While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, 75% of patients on the outpatient waiting list for Beaumont Hospital are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and nearly 83% are waiting less than 15 months.

My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an impatient/day-case procedure.

Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.

Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.

Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.

In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Question No. 100 answered with Question No. 49.

Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 44.

National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times

Ceisteanna (102)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on the September 2016 figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund which showed that 1,366 persons are waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30664/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

A key challenge for our health system is to ensure that patients have timely access to health services, in light of increasing demand. This Government is committed to a sustained focus on improving wait times, particularly for those waiting longest.

While the numbers on waiting lists are undoubtedly too high, the key issue is how long people are waiting. According to the September waiting list data published by the NTPF, nearly 78% of patients on the outpatient waiting list for University Hospital Limerick are waiting less than 12 months for their appointment and 87% are waiting less than 15 months.

My Department works closely with the HSE and the NTPF to implement measures to reduce waiting times. At my request, in August, the HSE developed an action plan to reduce, by year end, the number of patients currently waiting 18 months or more for an impatient / daycase procedure.

Also the NTPF is currently implementing an Endoscopy Initiative which aims to ensure that, by year end, no patient will be waiting 12 months or more for an endoscopy procedure.

Furthermore, €7m of the Winter Initiative funding is to be utilised to fund a targeted waiting list programme to provide treatment for patients waiting for orthopaedic, spinal and scoliosis procedures.

Finally, the Budget 2017 provides for the treatment of our longest-waiting patients. €20m is being allocated to the NTPF, rising to €55m in 2018. Planning of this initiative is at an advanced stage by the NTPF, my Department and the HSE.

In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Mental Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (103)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

103. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the level of funding he is committing in budget 2017 to mental health; the way in which this compares with the percentage of the health budget that is spent on mental health in Northern Ireland; and his views on the impact this will have on reaching the standards recommended in A Vision for Change. [30618/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The allocation for Mental Health in 2017 will be €851.3 million, an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016. In addition, a further €50 million will be provided for the construction of the new national forensic mental health service in Portrane.

The figure of €851.3 million represents approximately 6% of the total Health Budget of €14.2 billion.

The total Budget for the Department of Health in Northern Ireland is £4.88 billion (as at January 2016). According to Northern Ireland's Minister for Health, Michelle O'Neill (in an Assembly debate on Mental Health on 28th June 2016), the budget for Mental Health is now £250 million. This is approximately 5.2% of the total Health Budget for Northern Ireland. It is difficult, however, to compare the two sets of figures, since there are differences in the compilation of each, reflecting varying composition of services and funding in the two jurisdictions.

'A Vision for Change', published in 2006, sets out a 10 year policy framework for Ireland's mental health services. It recommended a requirement for additional ongoing funding of €151 million over the next seven years. Since that time, significant progress has been made.

In 2012, the Mental Health budget was €711 million. In 2017, it will rise to €851.3 million, an increase of €140 million, or almost 20%, over this period. Overall, approximately 1,550 new posts have been approved for the mental health services since 2012 with approximately 1,000 posts filled to date although some existing posts in that time have also been lost due to retirements and normal attrition.

'A Vision for Change' has guided national mental health policy for the past 10 years and its term ends this year. The Department will shortly confirm the award of a contract for an external evidence expert review and analysis of international best practice in the development of mental health services, including a review of current delivery of services in Ireland, the outcome of which will inform the parameters of a review of 'A Vision for Change.'

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (104)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

104. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the therapeutic services for children, such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology, physiotherapy and dietetics that are available in community health organisations; the way in which parents in local areas can access these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30691/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy

Ceisteanna (105)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

105. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm a date for the publication of the implementation plan to include a detailed timeline for the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30496/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies, including publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a National Steering Group, chaired by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Head of Disability Reform, is considering feedback on a draft implementation framework which was circulated for consultation to wider stakeholder interest groups. The revised framework will guide and oversee the reconfiguration and development of Neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level from a non-acute perspective. Given the lead role of the HSE in this process, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Ceisteanna (106)

John Brassil

Ceist:

106. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce waiting times for children needing speech and language therapy in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30647/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Government recognises that waiting lists for speech and language therapy have been very difficult for families. To address this, €4 million was provided under the HSE’s National Service Plan 2016 to specifically focus on speech and language therapy waiting lists in Primary Care and Social Care for children up to 18 years old. This investment represents a long-term increase in speech and language capacity that will be maintained into 2017 and beyond. It builds on the significant additional resources that have been invested over the past number of years in the State’s primary care and disability services with a view to enhancing therapy service provision. In addition, the HSE has introduced a number of initiatives specifically in relation to speech and language therapy services that are aimed at improving access to these services, such as therapists increasing clinic based work and providing family centred interventions in a group, as opposed to a one-to-one setting, whenever possible.

From the €4 million, the HSE is appointing 83 new full-time and recurring posts in primary care to address all the waiting lists by prioritising the longest-waiting children. The HSE is also funding temporary measures in 2016 from the available funding which include temporary posts and use of agency staff.

As this question relates to speech and language service matters in Community Health Organisation 4, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (107)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

107. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in CHO 2 in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30682/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (108)

James Browne

Ceist:

108. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I have recently secured additional funding for Mental Health Services in this Budget in line with the Programme for Partnership Government's commitment to increase funding for this vital area of our Health services. This additional funding will build on the already substantial funding that was provided for mental health since 2012 under the previous Government where annual funding increased over the period to 2016 by €115m or 16.5%.

All aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are being developed, A Vision For Change recommends 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds nationally. The HSE Operational Plan for Mental Health 2016 indicates that there are 76 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service beds in the system, of which 66 are operational at present. As recruitment issues are addressed, the potential exists to further increase bed capacity.

The HSE National Service Plan objective for this year aims for 78% or greater of accepted referrals to Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams to be seen within three months. A priority target is to address the needs of those waiting over 12 months, while maintaining targets for first appointments and seeing individuals within three months. In addition, the Executive aims to improve the delivery of services in a more consistent and transparent manner, reflecting the identified clinical needs of the child. Additional resources and facilities mean that we now have 67 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, with further teams planned.

Mental Health Policy

Ceisteanna (109)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review for A Vision for Change; when the review will be published; the steps that have been taken to reinstate the implementation body that served such a vital role in monitoring the implementation of A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30396/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

'A Vision for Change' has guided national mental health policy for the past 10 years and its term comes to an end this year. The Department of Health, following a recent request for tender, will shortly confirm the award of a contract for an expert evidence review and analysis of national and international best practice in the development and delivery of mental health services. The review aims to identify sites of best practice, outlining how these models can apply to the Irish context. The review will also assess the current delivery of Mental Health Services in Ireland having regard to the international evidence and the implementation of 'A Vision for Change', and will have regard to both human rights and Health and Well-being objectives.

This evidence review will inform the parameters of a review of 'A Vision for Change'. Consideration is also being given to establishing the appropriate oversight structure for the policy review process.