Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on IMPACT's recent criticisms of the running of the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6281/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to state at the outset that I do not accept IMPACT's criticisms of the running of the health service. The Health Reform Programme is an ambitious programme which tackles reform across the spectrum including structures, legislation, services, eligibility and HR/IR. Obviously this is an enormous challenge with the ultimate intention of improving services to patients, and one which will require our continuing commitment over a number of years. Nevertheless, there has been significant progress, for example, the HSE and the Office of the Minister for Children have been established, and my Department has been restructured. Major advances have also been made in modernising and strengthening the regulatory framework underpinning service delivery and patient care.

The Health Bill 2006 will establish The Health Information Quality Authority on a statutory basis. HIQA will provide an independent review of quality and performance, and its analysis will inform policy development within my Department. It will also undertake health technology assessments and will evaluate information on health and social services and the health and welfare of the population and advise both myself and the HSE on deficiencies identified. The Bill will extend the remit of the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services to provide for older people and for people with disabilities.

The Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance was established and has been asked to report to me by mid-2008 with proposals in a number of areas including more effective reporting of adverse incidents, a system of licensing of public and private providers of health care and a clearer role for patients and carers in giving feedback on the care received. The Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 provides for the statutory registration of a range of allied health professionals and will underpin the delivery of safe and high quality services to members of the public. Consideration of appointments to the Health & Social Care Professionals Council is now at an advanced stage.

The Medical Practitioners Bill 2007 provides for an enhanced and modern system of regulation of the medical profession in Ireland. It is in the interests of patients and doctors alike that a modern, accountable and efficient system of regulation is in place. The provisions within the Medical Practitioners Bill will achieve that goal.

Legislation enabling Nurse Prescribing has been enacted, and Regulations have been drafted and notified to the EU in order to make its introduction a reality in 2007. More broadly, considerable work has been done in preparing draft new legislation to update the existing regulatory framework for the nursing profession.

There has also been significant progress relating to service delivery, for example, up to 100 Primary Care Teams are now coming on stream in a number of areas around the country, enabling the Primary Care Model to be demonstrated in action while allowing practical experience to be gained from the process involved in developing these teams and providing expanded services in the community.

In relation to Acute Hospitals/Services there is a broad objective to ensure that people are not inappropriately admitted to hospital and where admission is appropriate that the patient stay is for the minimum period necessary and the outcomes are the optimum that can be achieved for the patient. This objective is being achieved via targeted improvements in A&E Services/ Departments plus capital investment, out of hours GP co-operatives, and improved waiting times for most common surgical procedures.

In regard to older people, €55 million was allocated in Budget 2006 towards the ongoing provision of home care packages and community supports into 2007. Funding of €88 million was provided for public and private beds for long-term residential care, over the period 2006/2007, including €6 million to strengthen nursing home subvention.

In addition, in relation to the implementation of the Disability Act, the multi-annual investment programme provides for cumulative investment of €900 million in services for people with disabilities over the period 2006 to 2009.

The aforementioned examples are just some aspects of the reform programme. I do not suggest that the programme is complete, or that service delivery is where we want it to be. However, while recognising the challenges that face us, we should also recognise the progress that has been made.