Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

Approximately 77 million laboratory tests are undertaken across 44 public hospitals each year. The HSE announced plans last year to modernise laboratory services and achieve significant efficiencies in the configuration and operation of such services. As part of this initiative, the HSE is in discussions with the National Development Finance Agency about the capital financing of a small number of dedicated cold laboratories which would process the large volumes of routine patient tests currently processed in hospital laboratories. An outline business case, including a cost-benefit analysis, has been developed. It identifies and analyses a number of options for financing the various cold laboratory site configurations. The options include direct public provision, direct private provision and public private partnership. These options are being considered by the HSE. The Croke Park agreement acknowledges the advanced level of engagement of the relevant stakeholders in the delivery of major changes to medical laboratory services. We would like to see early progress in this area. Discussions between the HSE and the relevant trade unions on the introduction of revised work practices in existing laboratories, in the context of the Croke Park agreement, are under way. I understand good progress is being made in this regard. This process will quickly help to inform decisions on the modernisation of medical laboratory services within the cost, efficiency and quality parameters that need to be met.

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