Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Fáiltím deis a labhairt are an Bhille seo. I welcome the Bill, which is necessary to transfer responsibility for the procurement of the national stock of clotting factor concentrate products from the IBTS to St. James's Hospital, which houses the National Centre for Hereditary Coagulation Disorders, NCHCD. I understand that to transfer responsibility, primary legislation is necessary. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter and I appreciate the House's co-operation in facilitating the legislation.

These types of necessary changes are part of the Minister, Deputy Reilly's ongoing efforts to put in place a more streamlined system that delivers reform and value for money for the taxpayer, a central part of what we as a House are endeavouring to do. The Department of Health, the HSE and all interested parties agree that this function is best placed at St. James's Hospital.

In general, I welcome changes that make practical sense and save money for the taxpayer. Any cost saving that is made in the health sector is secondary to care. In the current budgetary situation that we find ourselves, however, the cost of all treatments and care must be scrutinised to ensure that we get good value for money for the taxpayers funding the service. With the money saved, we must provide the best service possible. This is a net benefit to the service user.

Given the fact that the national haemophilia centre based at St. James's Hospital treats the majority of patients, the new arrangements will remove a third party, namely, the IBTS, from the product procurement process. In any arrangement, third parties cost money and increase the cost of the service. Any step to remove an unnecessary third party, as in this case, is a welcome development. Almost all of the products are not blood-based and are classed as medicines. As such, there is no reason for the IBTS to continue to be responsible for their procurement. Enabling St James's Hospital to become the contract holder for the procurement of these clotting factor concentrates will result in a more streamlined system of procurement. The savings of approximately €7 million over a four year period should not be taken lightly. Spread across the vast area of the health service, this type of initiative will deliver real savings while also improving the services provided.

I welcome the Minister's focus on these issues since taking office. The issue of consultants' pay is a typical example. One can either look for the quick solution or implement real reform. This is indicative of the Government's overall approach to reforming how we do our business. It would be easy for the Minister to enforce cuts of 10% or 15% on consultants' pay and walk away with a newspaper headline. However, it is more important and constructive to engage all the parties in the health service in reform. The consultants could be to the fore in weekend discharging, for example. I was told recently by several consultants that it is in their interest to avoid discharging patients on Fridays because beds may not be available on the following Monday. In a cavalier fashion it can be easier for them to hold the bed over the weekend and discharge the patient on the Monday to ensure they can access it. That is not the norm but it happens in a minority of cases. It highlights the importance of reforming the system.

I commend the Department of Health's efforts to reform the health service under the stewardship of the Minister and Ministers of State. Deputies on all sides of the House have welcomed the practical changes provided for in the Bill and all the interested parties are in agreement on the proposals. Protecting the health of consumers of factor concentrate products is a priority and the contract holder will take the advice of a product selection and monitoring advisory board prior to selecting a successful tender bid. I welcome the Bill and the speedy timeframe in which it is being enacted.

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