Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in view of the stated fact in the Defence Services Review that the medical corps is experiencing difficulties in meeting the health needs of the Defence Forces and the statement that medical corps personnel are increasingly stretched in service management and delivery, the ability of the Defence Forces to undertake missions at home and abroad has been compromised by the structures, staffing and functioning of the medical corps; the actions he will take to correct this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2090/10]

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. As I have stated previously in the House the challenges in the medical arena have been recognised for some time and a review of the provision of medical services has been ongoing as part of the Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces. The PA Report reviewed the medical services required for the Defence Forces in light of their roles and operations, assessed the current arrangements for the provision of medical services and proposed a model for future delivery of medical services.

In its assessment of current service delivery the report did find that the Medical Corps is experiencing difficulties in meeting the healthcare needs of the Defence Forces from within its own clinical resources and that Medical Corps personnel are increasingly stretched in service management and delivery. However it found that factors other than clinical need, such as current processes and procedures, are driving high levels of demand for health care services. To address this the Consultants have recommended a programme of major change. The intention is that the difficulties within the Medical Corps will be addressed through the implementation of this programme of changes. The high level recommendations include: a Centralised Command Structure for the Medical Corps and the creation of a Medical Services Management and Administrative Function. This structure will provide strategic planning, resource allocation and overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the medical service.

The development of Medical Officer Lead Care Teams together with a re-focussing of medical staff on appropriate clinical tasks. The report also recommends steps leading to a reduction in the number of doctor interventions, medical assessments and better management of health services outsourcing. The Report reaffirms the need for a dedicated Medical Corps and addresses the challenges facing the Defence Forces in recruitment and retention of Medical Officers.

In relation to the actions necessary to implement the report I am pleased to inform the House that the governance structure proposed in the report for the delivery of change in this area has been put in place. It consists of a high level steering group composed of senior military and civilian personnel. The role of the Steering Group is to provide planning guidance, clarify the approach to recommendations where required and ensure that the project is implemented effectively.

A dedicated Programme Group with civilian and military representatives is now co-ordinating a range of projects. It is progressing a number of the PA recommendations including the structure of the Medical Corps, the alignment of Defence Forces and Medical Corps strategies and the development of medical information systems. Work is also progressing on the recommendations on training and education, clinical issues and the centralised command structure, along with financial arrangements and outsourcing. A number of the working groups that are in place dealing with these issues have already made recommendations which are being considered by the Steering Committee.

The development of the Medical Corps forms part of the agreed programme for Government. This includes the expansion of the capacity of the Medical Corps to deliver a range of medical facilities on UN mandated missions. I would expect substantial progress over the coming twelve months in implementing the PA recommendations. I am committed to providing a sustainable medical service to meet the needs of the Defence Forces both at home and abroad. Notwithstanding the current situation I can assure the House that Defence Forces personnel requiring medical treatment are getting the care they need.