John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I join previous speakers in welcoming the Minister. Health service reform is long overdue and nobody can defend the status quo. We now have three major reports setting out a clear reform agenda. The Brennan report deals with accountability and improving financial management; the Prospectus report deals with the organisational structures; and the Hanly report deals with NCHD working hours, the provision of a consultant-provided service, improving medical education and training and reorganising the acute hospital system.

The Hanly report, formally launched last week, deals with two pilot areas, the Western Health Board and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. There is broad consensus on what needs to be done now in those areas and implementation should commence immediately. The report also sets out very clear principles and criteria in relation to organising the acute hospital system. These principles and criteria will obviously inform the next phase of Hanly, that is, preparing a report on how to organise hospital services in the other health board areas.