Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated that the principles set out in the report provide a basis on which to get the important calls right through the implementation process. Given the broad cross-party consensus, it is something into which we can all buy. In that context, there were a number of issues which were the subject of protracted debate in the committee which prepared the report. One key recommendation as a result was the elimination of private care in public hospitals. There was a great deal of debate on that issue. Concerns were also expressed, however, that there could be unintended consequences. With that in mind, the committee acknowledged that it would be complex to remove private care from public hospitals and stated that there was a need to set up a process to analyse the impact it could have on services recruitment, as well as other unintended consequences. How far along is the Minister in establishing an independent impact analysis of the separation of public and private care, in particular with reference to the difficulty of recruiting and retaining consultants and other unintended consequences? It is a key area which must be addressed very quickly. It is a fundamental part of the overall Sláintecare report's recommendations.

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