Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am entirely satisfied that the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive fully supports the Government's health reform programme and I have full confidence that the Health Service Executive is implementing Government health policy.

I assume the Deputy's question was prompted by comments made by the CEO in the course of his address at a major health conference in Dublin on 12 June last. In his address Professor Drumm pointed out that, among the major areas where change is required in our health system, are the building up of primary and community services and reforming the acute hospital system. The points made by the chief executive officer are fully consistent with Government policy.

The programme for Government includes commitments to extend the GP out-of-hours service nationwide to ensure patients can be seen within one hour of their call. This will give access to on-duty GP care 24 hours a day. GPs will be fully equipped to ensure their expertise and skills minimise the need for their patients to attend an accident and emergency unit. It also includes commitments to improve GP cover by developing primary health centres in socially deprived areas; work with GPs to ensure constantly improving out-of-hours cover for patients; ensure there is a primary care team serving every community, with particular reference to new and rapidly growing areas — 500 such teams will be funded by 2011; introduce improved supports for GPs who work in remote and disadvantaged communities, both for those starting out and those already established; and continue to implement measures to ensure the availability of real alternatives to hospital for those who require lengthy convalescence.

As far as acute hospitals are concerned, the programme for Government commits to the provision of an additional 1,500 dedicated public only beds. In addition, the HSE is reviewing the acute hospital bed needs up to 2020. This review will identify the number of acute beds required and the capital and revenue implications and advise on how to meet the identified need. The findings and recommendations of this review will inform the Government's policy on developing capacity in acute hospitals into the future.

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