Cathal Berry
Ceist:16. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Defence when the Army nursing service review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 24 November 2022
Ceisteanna (16)
Freagraí scríofa
The civil/military Joint Standing Committee on Medical Service Delivery is tasked with advancing the development of a sustainable, integrated medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces. As part of its work, it endeavours to review each key medical capability separately. The objective of each review is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the most appropriate means of delivering each service to the Defence Forces. These reviews have been conducted on an ongoing basis as the workload of the Committee allowed.
A review of the Army Nursing Service commenced in March 2020. However, the work of the Joint Standing Committee was impacted both by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the reassignment of civil and military members of the Committee. These factors unavoidably delayed progress.
Furthermore, in February 2022, the Commission on the Defence Forces published its report which included recommendations in a number of key areas relating to the delivery of medical services. The recommendations of the Commission have been agreed by Government and are being implemented through a High Level Action Plan. The approach taken in completing the outstanding reviews, including the Army Nursing Service, is currently under consideration in light of the Commission's recommendations and with regard to the increase in overall numbers required to achieve the level of ambition agreed by Government for the Defence Forces.
In the meantime, a range of measures to ensure continuity of service of all aspects of medical care to personnel are employed including outsourcing, contracted professionals, and agency workers.
A further specific recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces endorsed the commitment in the Programme for Government to extend private medical care, currently available to Officers and members of the Army Nursing Service, to all personnel. This recommendation is one the early actions for implementation and is being progressed with relevant stakeholders.
The ongoing reviews of the range of medical services provided to the Defence Forces are an important tool in ensuring the provision of quality care to our personnel. I wish to assure the Deputy that this is a priority for me and civil/military management.