James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The Government is embarking on a major programme of reform of the health system. The aim is to deliver a single-tier health service supported by universal health insurance to ensure equal access to care based on need, not income. There are a number of important stepping stones along the way, each of which will play a critical role in improving our health service in advance of the introduction of universal health insurance.

A key immediate priority was the establishment in June of the special delivery unit, SDU, under the leadership of Dr. Martin Connor to drive down waiting times for patients. A great deal of work has already been undertaken in this regard. The resources of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, will be refocused to align with the work of the SDU, allowing for a progressive improvement in the performance of the nation's hospitals.

A further fundamental element in the reform process involves significant strengthening of primary care services to deliver universal primary care with the removal of cost as a barrier to access for patients. The phased implementation programme will be overseen by me as the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for primary care, Deputy Shortall, assisted by a project team of officials from my Department and the HSE.

Reform of the funding system for hospital care will also be implemented. A money-follows-the-patient funding mechanism and a purchaser-provider split, whereby hospitals will be established as independent, not-for-profit trusts, will be implemented. To achieve this, a number of initiatives are already under way, including a patient level costing project and a pilot initiative in respect of prospective funding of certain elective orthopaedic procedures at selected sites. I intend to establish an implementation group on universal health insurance, details of which are being finalised and will be announced in due course.

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