Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:1791. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the implementation of the proposed restructuring of the HSE. [34071/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 July 2019
Ceisteanna (1791, 1792, 1793, 1797)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:1792. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if legislation will be required for the restructuring of the HSE as announced on 17 July 2019; and if so, when such legislation will be published. [34072/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraStephen Donnelly
Ceist:1793. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the proposed restructuring of health services means that no hospital trusts will be established. [34073/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraStephen Donnelly
Ceist:1797. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the proposed new structures within the HSE will be put on a statutory basis. [34077/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1791 to 1793, inclusive, and 1797 together.
A clear governance and accountability framework was identified as a key building block of Sláintecare by the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. As part of its recommendations in this area, the Committee called for the HSE to become a more strategic and patient-focused ‘national centre’ carrying out national level functions, and the establishment of regional bodies with responsibility for the planning and delivery of integrated care at a regional level.
As the Deputy will be aware, Hospital Groups were set up in a different policy context, with the view to their eventual establishment as Hospital Trusts under UHI. This policy has been superseded by Sláintecare, which is the result of unprecedented political consensus. It is important that we now drive forward with the Sláintecare vision in order to ensure a sustained reform programme.
While the Government decision approving six regional health areas is a major step towards restructuring of our health services, this is only one of a number of decisions that need to be taken in relation to the future development of our health service structure.
I intend to return to Government within 12 months with detailed proposals regarding the roles and responsibilities of the new regional areas, including their legal standing. These proposals will also outline a timeline for the establishment of regional organisations and any legislative changes required to realise the Sláintecare vision.