Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

Sláintecare Implementation: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Robert Watt:

Before Mr. Mulvany comes in, I will respond. It will over time enable us to have senior decision-makers in longer times in our hospitals to provide that care for people. Over time, we hope it will make a difference in terms of the emergency department situation and the trolley situation that becomes chronic at times and that causes great distress. In terms of waiting lists, we believe it will increase utilisation of our facilities and our theatres, and that will increase the overall activity of the health system at a time that suits. We hope the contract will be attractive, and that is the intention. Once we hear back from the unions and they have gone through their processes, and we have to respect their processes, we will be in a position to start advertising. Ms Anne Marie Hoey and Ms Pat O'Boyle at the HSE, as well as our colleagues, will be pushing ahead when the bodies have done their processes. We will sell this contract, make it as attractive as possible and try to get as many people as we can. That is what we are about. Perhaps Mr. Mulvany could touch on the final comment if that is not an adequate response.

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