Written answers
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Department of Health and Children
Departmental Reports
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of reports relating to the delivery of health and hospital services which were commissioned by her in the past ten years; the reports in relation to same which determine policy in the predetermination of the delivery of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20910/09]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reports commissioned by her in the past ten years which is expected to become the template for the future delivery of the health services; if one particular policy arising from such reports is expected to be favoured in preference to another; if policy is to be determined by a selection from each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20911/09]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
Since 1999 a total of 209 reports have been commissioned by my Department. This spans a ten year period of widespread reform, huge technological advances, service expansion and fundamental change in our health system. The names of these reports are set out in the tables below.
Health is an extremely complex environment involving a broad spectrum of primary and acute care services for the entire population, ranging from services for children and families, services for older people, mental health services and disability services. The nature, cost and burgeoning demand for services require that a strong emphasis be placed on the evidence base for policy and resource usage. While certain reports (such as the Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System and the report of the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service) can be identified as having a far reaching impact on the structure and management of our health services, it is not possible to isolate one report or set of reports as providing a template for the delivery of health services.
Many of the reports can be traced back to the development of services for cancer, cardiovascular health, health promotion and the subsequent evaluation of these strategies. A number of the reports deal with complex and ethical issues, for example, the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and the Green Paper on Abortion.
A strong feature of a number of the reports related to engagement in widespread public consultation. National and international expert advice are critical and vital components in the development of health strategy.
Reports have also been commissioned in the area of standards in health care. It is often argued that we don't give sufficient attention and prominence to the development and articulation of standards or best practice in the area of health and personal social services. Medical error is a feature of medical systems world-wide and Ireland is no exception. The reports of Independent Inquiries form an important part of the body of knowledge which reflects a responsive and accountable health system. Examples of these include the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of Persons with Haemophilia and Related Matters and the Fitzgerald and Doherty reports into cancer misdiagnosis. Such Inquiries serve the public interest and ensure that we take appropriate corrective action to learn from experience and address the systems failures.
The commissioning of external reports is very much part of a modern and effective administrative system and helps to inform the development of policy, regulation and legislation for the health sector as well as serving the public interest. There is, and will continue to be, a need for objective, independent and expert review and evaluation of health services and health outcomes into the future.
| Reports Commissioned in 1999 Name of Report |
| A review of Oral Health Promotion/Education activity in the Republic of Ireland |
| An Evaluation of the Delivery and Monitoring of Water Fluoridation in Ireland |
| Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 1999 |
| Building Healthier Hearts |
| Consumer survey relating to qualitative information on the important influences on demand for Health Insurance |
| Drafting of a National Traveller Health Strategy |
| Evaluation of Fissure Sealing and the Targeted Approach |
| Evaluation of Oral Health Research in Ireland |
| Fluoride Intake in Infants |
| Fluorosis in 5 year olds |
| Green Paper on Abortion |
| Health Statistics Report 1999 |
| National Health & Lifestyle Surveys National and Regional ReportsPhase 1 |
| Long-Stay Activity Statistics 1998 |
| Oral and Dental Specialisation in Ireland |
| Oral Health Studies of Adults and Children |
| Probity arrangements within the Dental Services Treatment Scheme |
| Report of National Joint Steering Group on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors |
| Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care |
| Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of Persons with Haemophilia and Related Matters |
| Response to Professor Connett's '50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoride' |
| Review of the Nursing Home Subvention Scheme |
| Study into charges for private dental treatment |
| Towards a Standardised Framework for Intercountry Adoption Assessment Procedures |
| Treatment Utilisation in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme |
| Use of Fluorides in the promotion of Oral Health in Ireland |
| Youth as a Resource: Promoting the Health of Young People at Risk |
Reports Commissioned in 2000
| Name of Report |
| Final Report of the Empowerment of Nurses and Midwives Steering Group: An Agenda for Change |
| Acute Hospital Bed Capacity: A National Review |
| Ambulance Service Communication Study |
| Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 1998 |
| Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 1999 |
| Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2000 |
| Critique of earlier Health Strategy 'Shaping a Healthier Future' |
| Feasibility Study relating to implementation of Case-Mix based Risk Equalisation |
| Report of the Forum on Fluoridation Ireland |
| Long-Stay Activity Statistics 1999 |
| Nursing Education Forum - A Strategy for a Pre-Registration Nursing Education Degree Programme |
| Report of the Paediatric Nurse Education Review Group |
| Report of the Working Group on National Anti-Poverty Strategy and Health |
| Report on the Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapies |
| Review of the Organisation and Management of "An Bord Uchtála" (The Adoption Board) |
| Review of the organisational structures of the ERHA |
| Report of The Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction |
| The Development of Radiation Oncology Services in Ireland – Consumer survey of radiotherapy services in Ireland |
| The Nursing and Midwifery Resource – Interim Report of the Steering Group |
| Value for Money Audit of the Irish Health System |
Reports Commissioned in 2001
| Name of Report |
| Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2001 |
| Effective Utilisation of Professional Skills for Nurses and Midwives |
| Evaluation of the North Eastern Health Board's Out of Hours Co-operative |
| Evaluation of the Pilot Programme for the Education of Health Care Assistants |
| Final Report on Options for System Development and Implementation |
| Report on the steps open to the State to instigate an effective inquiry into the role of the international pharmaceutical companies into the infection with HIV and Hepatitis C of persons with haemophilia |
| Heart Health Task Force Progress Report July 1999 – June 2001 |
| Impact of Alcohol Advertising on Teenagers in Ireland |
| Market research for the Department on the public's attitude to health matters |
| National Blood Strategy Implementation Group Report |
| National Evaluation of the Role of the Clinical Placement Co-ordinator |
| National Standards for Children's Residential Centres |
| Pharmacy Review Group Report |
| Policy Paper 1 - "The Invisible Student" Young Parents in Education - Policy Paper 2 - "I Hadn't a Penny" |
| Provision of Medical Indemnity Report: Provision of Clinical Indemnity Scheme Helpline service on behalf of State Claims Agency. |
| Report of the Review Group on Health Service Care Staff |
| Report of the Working Group on Foster Care |
| Report on the Regulation of Practitioners of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Ireland |
| Report on the Strategic Options for the Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
| Report to the Minister for Health and Children: Independent Examination related to the Medical Council and the South Eastern Health Board |
| Review of Dáil na nÓg 2001 – Professional Solutions |
| Review of potential liabilities of Portiuncula Hospital |
Reports commissioned in 2002
| Name of Report |
| A feasibility study on the costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) |
| Analysis of Child Care Interim Minimum Dataset 2000 |
| Analysis of Question 1 of Public Consultation to the National Health Strategy "Quality and Fairness: A Health System for You" (2001) |
| Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2002 |
| The Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service |
| National Task Force on Medical Staffing |
| Audit of Structures and Functions in the Health System |
| Childline Review – Children's Research Centre |
| Dental Epidemiology |
| EHLASS Report 2001 – European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System |
| Evaluation of Pharmacy Regulations |
| Inquiry into the Handling of Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse relating to the Diocese of Ferns |
| Long-Stay Activity Statistics 2001 |
| National Children's Advisory Council – Facilitation for Young People and Report on Young People's Participation on the Council |
| National Children's Advisory Council – Report of the Voice of the Child – National Youth Council of Ireland |
| National Children's Advisory Council – Report on the Implementation of Children First and Vetting |
| Paediatric Palliative Care Needs Assessment – 'A Needs Assessment for Children' |
| Position Paper on Feasibility of Introducing a Cost of Disability Payment |
| Report of Mr Kevin Bonner on Monaghan General Hospital |
| Report of the Independent Review Panel to the Minister for Health and Children concerning the birth of Baby Bronagh Livingstone on 11 December 2002 |
| Report on Social Work Workload Management |
| Review of funding of sheltered workshops |
| Review of Governance and Accountability in the General Medical Services Scheme |
| Review of Proposed Pharmacy Models |
| The Evaluation of 'Cancer Services in Ireland' A National Strategy 1996 |
| Report of The National Implementation Committee on Pre-Registration Nursing Degree Education |
| The Nursing and Midwifery Resource – Final Report of the Steering Group – Towards Workforce Planning |
| The Nursing and Midwifery Resource – National Study of Turnover in Nursing and Midwifery - Dept of Nursing Studies |
Reports commissioned in 2003
| Name of Report |
| Promoting the Well-Being of Families and Children: A Study of Family Support Services in the Health Sector in Ireland |
| A Census of Family Support in Ireland: Results of a Census of Family Support Services which were funded by Health Boards in 2002 |
| A Guide to the Children Act, 2001 |
| Adoption Legislation Consultation |
| Annual Report of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals for 2003 |
| Children's Understanding of Well - Being |
| Development of a Research Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery Research |
| EHLASS Report 2002 – European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System |
| Evaluation of the South Eastern Health Board's Out of Hours co-operative |
| Family Support in Ireland - Definition and Strategic Intent |
| Heart Health Task Force Second Report on Implementation of the Cardiovascular Health Strategy July 1999 – September 2002 'Ireland's Changing Heart' |
| Interim Report of the National Breastfeeding Committee |
| Irish Health Service Reform Programme – Dialogue on Implementing Reform – Communication and Consultation Programme July – September 2003 |
| Long-Stay Activity Statistics 2002 |
| Men and Domestic Violence: What Research Tells Us |
| National Children's Advisory Council – Report on Alcohol Use/Misuse by Young People |
| National Health & Lifestyle Surveys National and Regional Reports – Phase 2 |
| National Standards on Foster Care |
| National Standards on Foster Care – Children's Version |
| Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy 'A Vision for Change' |
| Report of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training (MET) Group (Buttimer Report) |
| Report of the Task Force on Assaults on Psychiatric Nurses |
| Report of the Working Group on Treatment of Under 18 year olds presenting to Treatment Services with Serious Drug Problems |
| Report of the Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training (Fottrell Report) |
| Report on the Regulation of Health and Social Care Professionals |
| Review of circumstances surrounding the death of Róisín Ruddle |
| Review of internal controls in the Department of Health and Children with a view to implementing the recommendations of the Mullarkey Report; and consultancy assistance with respect to the structure of the Management Information Framework (MIF) in the Department |
| Review of Library and Information Service |
| Survey and Report on Public Perceptions on Biomedical Research (RCSI) |
Reports commissioned in 2004
| Name of Report |
| A critical appraisal of and commentary on "50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation" |
| A Feasibility Study of the Inclusion of Blood and Tissue Data as a Component of the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland |
| Cultural Male Circumcision Report |
| Evaluation of Coronary Heart Attack Ireland Register (CHAIR) |
| Evaluation of Heartwatch |
| Giving Children a Voice: Investigation of children's experiences of participation in consultation and decision making in Irish hospitals |
| Health Service Reform Programme Composite Report |
| Investigating the Impact on Children of Witnessing Domestic Violence: Nature and Adequacy of Child-Centred Services |
| Kidscreen National Survey 2005 |
| Lourdes Hospital Inquiry - An Inquiry into Peripartum Hysterectomy at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda |
| National Primary Care Steering Group Progress Report |
| National Children's Advisory Committee – End of Term Report 2001 - 2004 |
| Obesity the Policy Challenges – The Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity 2005 |
| Play and Technology |
| Public Perceptions of Biomedical Research |
| Report by the Care and Management Sub-Committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee on HIV/STI Services in Ireland |
| Report from the Evaluation of the National Health Promotion Information Project |
| Report of the Expert Group on Midwifery and Children's Nursing Education |
| Report of the Working Group to examine the development of appropriate systems to determine nursing and midwifery staffing levels |
| Report on certain issues of management and administration in the Department of Health and Children associated with the practice of charges for long-stay patients in Health Board institutions (Travers Report) |
| Research on Children's Understanding of Wellbeing |
| Review of the National Health Promotion Strategy |
| Review of the Structures and Support Needs of Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg |
| The Child's Right to be heard in the Health Setting |
| The Development and Implementation of Child Impact Statements |
| The Process of Youth Homelessness: A Qualitative Longitudinal Cohort Study |
| 'What we Heard' and 'Speaking Your Mind' – Reports on the Service User Consultation Process and the Public Consultation Process for the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy |
| Young People's Views about Opportunities, Barriers and Supports to Recreation and Leisure |
| Young Voices: Guidelines on how to involve children and young people in your work |
Reports commissioned in 2005
| Name of Report |
| Comhairle Implementation Group Report |
| Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2005 |
| Evaluation of the Work of the Children and Young People's Forum |
| Joint Ministerial and Coiste na dTeachtaÍ Report 2005 |
| NCAC – Mid-Term Review of the National Children's Strategy |
| Prospectus (co-located Private Hospitals) |
| Reducing the Risk: A Strategic Approach (Sudden Cardiac Death Taskforce Report) |
| Report from the Evaluation of the National Health Promotion Information Project |
| Report of Consultation on the Health Act (2004) Part 9 - Complaints |
| Report of Dr. Deirdre Madden on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures (Working Group). |
| Report of the Long-Term Care Working Group |
| Report of the National Committee on Folic Acid Food Fortification |
| Report on Public Consultation on the Development of a Recreation Policy for Young People in Ireland |
| Sustaining Progress - Working Together to Reduce the Harms Caused by Alcohol Misuse |
| The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2006 (Research Project) |
Reports commissioned in 2006
| Name of Report |
| Dáil na nÓg Delegate's Report 2006 |
| European Schools Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) Research Project |
| Evaluation of the Irish Haemovigilance System |
| First Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on 'A Vision for Change' the Report to the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy |
| HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012 |
| National Children's Advisory Council (NCAC) – Report on Youth Volunteering in Ireland |
| Report of the Working Group on Haemochromatosis |
| Report on the Outcome of Consultations with Teenagers on the Issues to be Considered by the Minister for Children when Examining the Age of Consent for Sexual Activity |
| Research commissioned on : Children's Perspectives on Parenting Styles and Discipline |
| Research Commissioned on : National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland (NLSCI) |
| Research commissioned on: A follow up study on the educational and Social Support experiences of Young People in Long Term Foster Care |
| Research commissioned on: A Study of Parent-Child Agreements and Arrangements based on Court Records |
| Research commissioned on: Child Protection Services in Ireland: An Evaluation |
| Research commissioned on: Ethics Committees and Ethics Approval for Children's Research in Ireland |
| Research commissioned on: Public Library Services for Children and Young People in Ireland |
| Research commissioned on: Services and Supports for Children on Remand in Ireland |
| Review of Administration and Processes, Department of Health and Children |
| Second Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on 'A Vision for Change' the Report to the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy |
| Slan 2007 – Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition in Ireland (Research Project) |
| Study of Efficiency and Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services and Rehabilitative Training Services for People with Disabilities Provided by Specialist Training Providers |
| Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 – 2006 |
| Health-related consequences of problem alcohol use |
| Working Group on Alcohol and Drugs Synergies |
Reports commissioned in 2007
| Name of Report |
| Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2007 |
| Doherty Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise |
| Fitzgerald Report on Breast Radiology Services at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise |
| Independent Inquiry into the tragic deaths of the Dunne Family in Monageer, Co. Wexford |
| National Children's Advisory Council (NCAC) – Report on Youth Café Provision |
| National Oral Health Policy |
| Quality Assessment of the Value for Money Review of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000 - 2006 |
| Report of the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance |
| Research commissioned on : The Physical Chastisement of Children by Parents |
| Review of the Operation of the Mental Health Act 2001 – Findings and Conclusions |
| Round Table discussion on the financial abuse of older people |
| Teenagers' Views on Solutions to Alcohol Misuse |
| All Ireland Traveller Health Study |
| Financial and Legal Advice on options for obtaining regulatory authorisation in connection with the VHI |
| The Report of the Comhairle na nÓg Development Fund (2007-2008) |
| Vaccine Damage Steering Group |
Reports commissioned in 2008
| Name of Report |
| National Children's Advisory Council (NCAC) – End of Term Report 2005 – 2008 |
| Report of the Independent Pharmacy Pricing Body |
| Strategic Plan for the St. Ultan's Children's Project |
| Dáil na nÓg Delegate Report 2008 |
| A Directory of Health Research Undertaken on Children (0-17 years) |
| Evaluation Report on the Inclusion Programme Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affair |
| National Men's Health Policy 2008-2013 |
| Phase III of a Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Homeless Youth in Dublin |
| Report on the Irish Medicines Board assuming the role of Competent Authority for Cosmetics Products |
| Research on Young Carers in the Irish Population |
| Review of Protecting our Future: Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse 2002 |
| Third Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on 'A Vision for Change' - the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy |
| Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services |
| Report of the Commission established to provide an independent assessment of how a 35 hour week can be achieved for nurses |
| Review of the circumstances surrounding the elapse of time in bringing to completion the Western Health Board inquiry into allegations of abuse in the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway |
| Study of certain Accounting Issues within the Health Service Executive |
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