Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss how consultants and doctors relate to the interdisciplinary teams. Some of the phrases used in the opening statements expressed concern over the blurring of the lines of accountability and the various roles. I am not a medical professional, but I was under the impression that multidisciplinary teams are being introduced across a number of European countries or have been in operation for quite a long time because it is a move towards a more rights-based model of care. It is an effective way of dealing with complex needs. I frequently hear of complex needs with mental health where, as a previous speaker said, people have both mental and physical requirements. Can one of the witnesses outline the concern over responsibility or the lines of power within interdisciplinary teams? Does this present a wider problem? The opening statements reflect very serious concern about interdisciplinary teams. I am also a member of the Joint Committee on Health and we frequently discuss the importance of those teams for Sláintecare in the future. Could somebody outline some of the concerns and how we move forward?