The proposals also include the development of an improved system of governance and accountability which clarifies and creates appropriate boundaries between the delivery system and the Department of Health and Children. This is intended to allow the Department to focus more actively on its role in policy development, population health planning and the monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the delivery system on health status. The proposals emerging will support the commitments made in relation to reform of acute hospital services and the likely changes required, in terms of configuration, anticipated in the health strategy. They will provide a more adequate unitary approach to the delivery of hospital services which, in turn, will support the more even and consistent introduction of consultant-delivered services.