Professor Malcolm MacLachlan:

The Senator made an important point about the culture change within the HSE in terms of moving to a social and rights-based model. The clinical programme for people with disabilities is unique in the HSE, with the disability advisory group and the very strong representation of people with disabilities on that group. Indeed, it is chaired by a person with a disability. It is a matter of developing services, but not throwing out the baby with the bath water. There are some important and, indeed, vital medical services required by people with disabilities, but they must be provided through a social and a rights-based model. I thank the Senator for recognising that.