Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the representative associations, is ongoing as part of the modernisation agenda for the Defence Forces. The scope of the review includes the level of service to be provided to members of the Defence Forces and the resources required for the delivery of that service.

The review has produced the patients charter with the agreement of all parties, which I welcome. The agreement on the patients charter identifies the rights of members of the Defence Forces as patients and their obligations as users of the Defence Forces medical services. It also identifies the obligations on the providers of the services.

The implementation of the patients charter is under way. The military authorities have assured me that the patients charter has been published on the Medical Corps section of the Defence Forces intranet site. In addition, copies have been circulated, for display, to all of the medical aid posts and clinics. The brigade medical officers have also been directed to implement its provisions.

However, the full implementation of the charter is clearly dependent on the resolution of the structural, resource and other challenges facing the Medical Corps. As I have stated, the challenges we face with medical services in the Defence Forces go beyond the patients charter. It is but one item on the medical review agenda.

As I have already advised, consultants are being engaged to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The patients charter will inform the deliberations of the consultants.

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