James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is something that was not possible before and something which the Members opposite and their Government failed to do in ten years.

At this point, I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Barry White for his considerable efforts in his term as a director of the clinical care programmes. He is now returning to his clinical consultant post but I am pleased to announce that he will continue to work closely with me and my Department. The clinical programmes have three main objectives - to improve the quality of care, to improve access and to improve cost-effectiveness. They will do this by modernising the way hospital services are provided across a wide range of clinical areas.

Let us look at what we have done since the Government came to power a mere 18 months ago. There has been a 20.6% year on year reduction in the number of patients waiting on trolleys. There has been a reduction from an all-time high of 569 patients on trolleys on 5 January 2011 to 139 on 7 September 2012, representing a 75% reduction. Overall surgical waiting list numbers have decreased in the last year by 7%, while every time band has seen a substantial reduction with those waiting over 12 months down by 85%, which the Taoiseach mentioned earlier today, those waiting over nine months down by 63%, and those waiting over three months down by 18%.

The Health Service (Governance) Bill 2012, which has been published, provides for the abolition of the HSE board and its replacement with a new directorate and governance structures. A director general designate has been appointed and is already taking action to reform the system. The Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 is before the Seanad and will provide for reference pricing and reductions in generic drug prices. Restrictions on GPs wishing to become contractors under the GMS have been abolished. A programme for the development of 20 primary care centres, using public private partnerships, has been established. The development of chronic disease management programmes are in train, particularly for the management of diabetes, which is at an advanced stage.

I have been particularly concerned about the outcomes for stroke victims and we now have a programme to save lives and improve the quality of life for patients. When fully implemented we are confident it will save one life per week and avoid serious disability for three more people every week.

The new 40 bed facility for cystic fibrosis patients at St. Vincent's University Hospital has opened removing the dread of cross infection from this most vulnerable group of patients.

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