Results 3,681-3,700 of 3,998 for speaker:Michael Harty

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: I thank the representatives of the INMO, Ms Mary Leahy and Ms Mary Gorman, and those from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Dr. Peter Boylan and Professor Louise Kenny, for giving of their time and expertise.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: During this second session, we are meeting representatives of the Health Service Executive on the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 prepared by the maternity strategy steering group. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Mr. Liam Woods, national director, acute hospitals division, Ms Angela Fitzgerald, deputy national director, acute hospitals division, Mr. Kilian McGrane, national...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: I remind members to switch off their telephones as they interfere with broadcasting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: That was a huge number of questions and interrogation. Perhaps Mr. Woods would lead the response by speaking about how the plan can and will be implemented and the funding that will be directed towards it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: My initial question was how the Health Service Executive saw the plan progressing in its implementation. Is there sufficient funding for it and is there the will to complete the plan?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: Could Mr. Woods give a timeframe for the transfer of Limerick maternity hospital from its present site to Dooradoyle?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: We have two Senators, and I will be remaining so we will continue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: To guide the meeting through a thematic approach, perhaps Mr. Woods can discuss the mastership model the governorship model. From the Cork experience we have seen that being part of a hospital group, and not having autonomous structures in place, is leading to a less than optimal service. Perhaps Mr. Woods could comment on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: So Mr. Woods does not see the mastership model being extended to maternity units that do not have a mastership model at the moment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: This morning Dr. Boylan told us that the present structures in Cork do not work and will not work unless there is an adoption of a mastership type structure where there is immediate accountability both clinically and otherwise. Such a structure works in the major maternity hospitals in Dublin. Why would that not be adopted rather than be set aside?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: This morning we heard evidence that funding for gynaecology services, but perhaps for obstetrics as well, gets lost in the reduction in services and funding. As spoken about this morning, there is a necessity for funding to be ring-fenced to protect obstetrics and gynaecology services. If funding is not ring-fenced then the obstetrics and gynaecology sector will lose out as it is the first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: I was about to ask Mr. Woods to move on to the deficits in ultrasound availability.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: What does Mr. Woods think is inhibiting the provision of this basic obstetric service? It seems that some people are unable to routine scans and screening scans as a matter of course. One would imagine that such scans are an essential part of obstetric care. How could the service be so deficient?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: Is it accepted in the HSE that investing in ultrasound would lead to significant savings in the future? It would help identify illnesses in unborn babies before they are delivered and could prevent litigation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: On the questions of recruitment and consultant numbers, there is a belief that we are 100 consultants short. We were advised to have 180 consultants. We have 130. Our number is low by comparison with other EU countries.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: Another point raised was the attrition rate in midwifery nursing schools, which is 25%. That means that in the third and fourth years of nursing training, we are losing 25% of potential graduates. Not only are we failing to recruit and retain but we are failing to educate those who have entered but found the working conditions far too onerous. How could this be approached?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: Is there a deficiency in the way student midwives are selected? Should there be an interview process or some other form of interaction allowing nurses to realise what they are getting into while giving support to continue the education?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: If there are no other contributions, I thank Ms Fitzgerald, Mr. Woods and Mr. McGrane for attending the committee. I apologise for going over on time because our previous visitors were so interesting and engaging. I also apologise for the structures of how the Oireachtas functions but when a vote is called, one must go.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: National Maternity Strategy: Discussion (19 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: We will discuss overcrowding in accident and emergency departments at our next meeting.

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare: Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association (18 Jan 2017)

Michael Harty: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that he worked both in the public and private system but what are the different types of management that exist in the public and private systems? He referred to precision governance in the private system and accountability but will he expand on the issues? With regard to recruitment, he said he has little problem...