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HSE Reviews

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Ceisteanna (246)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

246. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the progress made in aligning hospital groups and community health organisations; the timelines for delivering same; the processes that will deliver alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17840/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following the announcement by the outgoing Government in July 2019 of the geographies for six new regional health areas, a joint action programme co-sponsored by the HSE, the Department of Health and the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office was initiated to commence work on the reconfiguration of the health service and development of Regional Health Areas. A draft programme plan was considered by the programme sponsors in early 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 emergency. In April 2020, recognising the need for a robust programme plan to support a reform of this scale, the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office engaged contractors to work with Sláintecare, HSE and DOH to validate (insofar as possible) the draft programme plan for the service reconfiguration and development of the Regional Health Areas and develop recommendations to enhance the plan based upon international learnings and insights. This work was overseen by the programme sponsors and was completed in May. This report, including the enhanced programme plan, is being considered and finalised. As agreed, when the new Regional Health Areas geographies were announced last summer, a business plan for the establishment of these health areas is expected to be brought to Government for its approval. The intention was that this plan will set out the high-level organisational design for the system, including: the respective roles, functions, responsibilities and accountabilities of the Department of Health, HSE centre and new regional structures; the relationship between these entities; and the overall legal construct. These proposals should also outline a timeline for the establishment of regional organisations and for any legislative changes required to realise the Sláintecare vision. Preliminary work on establishing a process to develop detailed proposals has been undertaken but this work was paused as a result of COVID-19. This programme of work will be given further consideration in the coming weeks in consultation with the Minister to take account of the Programme for Government commitment and any new considerations relating to COVID-19.

Question No. 247 answered with Question No. 244.
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