Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It is to be expected that diverse views are expressed at a gathering of the Irish Medical Organisation. For example, Professor John Higgins, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at Cork University Hospital, stated the following at the organisation's conference: "If dynamic, flexible arrangements are put in place then I think the co-location model recently suggested by the Tánaiste should be an absolute winner [for us all]". Similar views were expressed in the media last week by Dr. Rob Landers, consultant pathologist at Waterford Regional Hospital and chairman of its medical board.

The policy direction I have given to the Health Service Executive is to achieve 1,000 new public beds. If we build a new public bed in the traditional way, the Exchequer bears 100% of the capital cost. If we do it in the new way, that is, by moving the private beds into new co-located facilities and freeing up new public beds, the capital cost to the State is less than 50%. In addition, the running cost of the private beds would no longer be subsidised or managed by the State. The HSE is now taking the necessary steps to implement this policy to achieve a significant increase in the number public beds.

Like very many other countries, we have a mixed system of financing and provision of hospital services and there is no reason we should not continue to build on this. We already have excellent private hospital management dating back to the 18th century when St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin was founded by Jonathan Swift. The Highfield group has been offering services in the Dublin area for 150 years. There are many other hospital providers which have, more recently, established strong reputations for quality and service among the public.

There is no evidence from Ireland that for-profit hospitals have a lower patient safety record than all others. It is highly relevant that the same body of consultants largely treats patients in both public and private settings. I do not believe those consultants would accept, still less promote, a proposition that their patient care and patient safety be lower in one location than in another. Patient safety is vital in all hospitals, both public and private. I will promote accreditation and clinical auditing for all settings, irrespective of their financing structures. I urge support from medical organisations and practitioners for all measure to assure quality care for all patients in all locations.

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