Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to speak on powerful legislation that will change patient safety. It is about patient rights. It is crucial legislation. He acknowledged the work of Vicky Phelan has been a key driver for this legislation on behalf of women and as part of that group.

The key thing we want of the legislation is culture change in the hospital environment. We are changing that culture in order that people can come forward with disclosures. That is what is key to this. It is about legislation, and a Bill of 100 pages the Minister spoke about, to change a culture within our hospitals so we are in a better place, which is what we want to see. We want to be in a better place as regards health outcomes and rectifying issues.It is about acknowledging the issues in the first place and action then being taken quickly. In the context of looking back at some of these incidents, it is about action, responsibility and accountability.

A few other issues relating to patient rights have been highlighted to me recently. The patient advocacy service is source of independent, free and confidential advice for patients in respect of making a complaint. That is crucial. Additional supports have been provided to the group. I do not know if the Minister can comment further in that regard. That service is there for people who wish to discuss what may be significant issues for them. The patient councils in hospitals work with clinical staff to improve patient care. That can be seen in local hospitals. I want more people to get involved in respect of the care patients receive - being proactive and taking action. This is a further step towards the Minister doing that as well.

I appreciate that the Minister has taken amendments on board, as he stated in his opening remarks. He acknowledged the right relating to the mandatory disclosure of patient review results. In addition, he highlighted the necessity for HIQA and the chief investigator to look into incidences in nursing homes. That has been very relevant in the past two or three years. Supports for nursing homes are crucial.

I appreciate that the Minister indicated there will be a review in two years' time. Who will be involved in that review? The Minister did not state that in his remarks, although it may be in the detail of the Bill.

When it comes to women's health, under the Minister's tenure and in recent years we have repeatedly seen that it has not been to the fore or a priority. It has not received the attention required in recent years, although I acknowledge the Minister has made many changes. I would like the Bill to be another step forward in that regard in so many areas, such as patients' rights within hospitals, but, in particular, in the context of cancer screening.

I appreciate and welcome the Bill. I highlight the role of patient advocacy and patients' rights and the crucial nature of the Bill in the context of rights or supports that should always have been there.