Seanad debates

Wednesday, 22 October 2003

National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements.

 

One of the inevitable things that will happen as a result of the Brennan, Prospectus and Hanly reports is reform of the health boards. An announcement has been made about the establishment of an implementation body to put into place the recommendations of these reports. Where is the accountability, particularly locally, in regard to decisions on delivery of the health service? It is not good enough to have another NRA style board which none of us, including the Minister, can get near. We in this House had better be careful to ensure we do not create another NRA and then spend the following ten years whinging about it and trying to abolish and replace it with something else. Accountability is essential to the delivery of a good health service and to the democratic process in which Members in both Houses believe. We must ensure local ownership of decisions and local trust and belief in what is being delivered.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.