Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Defence if he proposes to set up an independent expert to lead a study on the way medical services for the Defence Forces might best be delivered. [16088/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Military medical services and facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities. The focus of the military medical service is on primary care, occupational medicine, acute trauma management, preventative medical programmes and field medical training.

The challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services, in association with the Representative Associations, is ongoing as part of the Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces. The scope of the review includes the level of service to be provided to members of the Defence Forces and the resources required for the delivery of that service.

The review has already produced a Patients Charter. The agreement on the Patients Charter identifies the rights of members of the Defence Forces as patients and their obligations as users of the Defence Forces medical services. It also identifies the obligations on the providers of the services. The implementation of the Patients Charter is under way.

In view of the complexity of the challenge to resolve the structural, resource and other issues facing the Medical Corps and the need for concrete steps, I have decided to engage consultants to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The consultancy will deal with all relevant issues affecting the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces.

The closing date for receipt of tenders for the provision of consultancy services was the 18 April 2008. Tender documents are currently being evaluated.

The development of the capacity of the Medical Corps forms part of the agreed programme for Government. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad.