Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)
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I move:

That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, Seanad Éireann:recognising:

- the severe pressures on the Irish health service, the unacceptable waiting times that arise for public patients, and the poor outcomes relative to cost;

- the need for consensus at political level on the health service funding model based on population health needs;

- the need to establish a universal single-tier service where patients are treated on the basis of health need rather than on ability to pay;

- that to maintain health and well-being and build a better health service, we need to examine some of the operating assumptions on which health policy and health services are based;

- that the best health outcomes and value for money can be achieved by re-orientating the model of care towards primary and community care where the majority of people’s health needs can be met locally; and

- the Oireachtas intention to develop and adopt a 10 year plan for our health services, based on political consensus, that can deliver these changes,

orders that:

(a) a special all-group Committee, which shall be called the Committee on the Future of Healthcare, shall be established, to devise cross-group agreement on a single long-term vision for health care and direction of health policy in Ireland;

(b) the Committee may be joined with a Special Committee appointed by Dáil Éireann for the purposes of the functions set out in this Order;

(c) the Committee shall be made up of six members of the Seanad and four shall constitute a quorum; members may be substituted as provided under Standing Order 81(1);

(d) the Committee shall elect one of its members to be Chairman, who shall have one vote: Provided that the Chairman shall be a Member of Dáil Éireann;

(e) the Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 71 (other than paragraphs (3), (4) and (6) thereof);

(f) the Committee shall examine existing and forecast demand on health services, including the changing demographics in the Irish population;

(g) the Committee shall examine and recommend how to progress a changed model of healthcare that advocates the principles of prevention and early intervention, self-management and primary care services as well as integrated care;

(h) the Committee shall examine different funding models for the health service and make recommendations on the funding models that are best suited to Ireland and have these models fully costed;

(i) the Committee shall examine and make recommendations on how best to re-orientate the health service on a phased basis towards integrated, primary and community care, consistent with highest quality of patient safety, in as short a time-frame as possible;

(j) the Committee shall be mandated to hold hearings in public with expert witnesses; invite and accept written submissions; draw up a report(s); make findings; and/or suggest recommendations if the membership so agrees in unison or in majority/minority format;

(k) the Committee shall, within six months of the initial meeting, present a final report to the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach for earliest possible discussion in both Houses; and

(l) the Committee shall meet as frequently as appropriate to fulfil its remit.