James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the implementation of the programme for Government commitment to implementing an advisory charter of patients rights similar to the European charter of patient rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30011/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In January 2007, as part of the Government's commitment to ensuring patient safety and quality in our health service, I established a Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance to develop clear and practical recommendations to ensure that quality and safety of care for patients is paramount within the health care system. The Commission's Report - Building a Culture of Patient Safety - was published in August 2008. The Commission recommended that there should be a mandatory licensing system in Ireland to cover both public and private health care providers. It further endorsed the proposals in the National Strategy for Service-User Involvement in the Irish Health Service published by my Department with the HSE in 2008 and made a series of recommendations on patient, carer and service-user participation in the planning, delivery and review of our health services.

The Government recently accepted the Commission's report and also supported the establishment of a Steering Group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, to drive the implementation of all the report's recommendations including those relating to what patients can expect from the health service. This Steering Group, which itself includes a representative of patients, has now been established. Its first meeting took place on 4 June and it has begun its work on an overall implementation plan to be completed within 18 months of establishment.