Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter with regard to health care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 4 April 2017
Ceisteanna (513)
Freagraí scríofa
In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Oireachtas All-Party Committee on the Future of Healthcare was established in June 2016 to develop a single long term vision for healthcare over a 10 year period, with cross party support.
At a meeting with the Committee two weeks ago, I outlined my views on the future direction of the health service and a number of key priorities that I believe should underpin that future direction. In sharing my perspective with the Committee, I reiterated my belief that political consensus on the broad direction of health policy is crucial to delivering a real improvement in our health services.
I also acknowledged the importance of taking a planned approach to any reforms and improvements to ensure that the health service remains capable of delivering services. The benefit of a ten year horizon is that it provides a context for carefully planning the evolution of structures so as to avoid unduly disrupting the primary focus on improving care delivery.
During the Committee’s previous public sessions, a number of people spoke about the issue of implementation, and indeed the lack of implementation of existing strategies and policies. I agree with the Deputy that a strong implementation plan, well supported and properly resourced, is essential to making change happen. In this regard I also note that the Committee’s interim reports reference a workstream on Implementation and Monitoring.
As I expect to receive the final report and recommendations of the Committee later this month, I intend to await the outcome before moving ahead with changes in relation to system design, financing or governance.