Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, the NTPF is responsible for the auditing of waiting lists. I will be more than happy to pass on to it any information the Deputy might have. Very strict rules apply to the waiting list protocols. They govern how patients are added to lists and how they can be removed from them after they have undergone procedures, clinical decisions have been made or validations carried out. These strict rules should be applied consistently across the system. I will be very happy to pass on to the NTPF any information the Deputy might have on its audit function. I agree with what he has said about Sláintecare and the HSE. I do not believe the HSE, as constructed, is fit for purpose. The Sláintecare group shares that view. When I went before the committee, I said we needed a much slimmed-down HSE. I accept that there are things that need to be done at national level such as having cancer standards, maternity standards, procurement and central budgeting systems. There are also things that need to be devolved to the hospital group structure, as constituted, which we hope will become regional structures that will include community care, primary care and acute hospital services. That is the Sláintecare way. I hope we can make quick progress on some of this in the coming weeks and months.

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