Written answers

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

Department of Health

Health Service Reform

8:00 pm

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he has appointed an expert to co-ordinate the setting up of a Dutch model health service here. [8630/11]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans to send representatives from his Department to examine the Dutch model of health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8631/11]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.

The Government is embarking on a major reform programme for the health system. The aim of this reform process is to deliver a single-tier health service that will deliver equal access to care based on need, not on income. Undertaking this comprehensive reform process is a complex task which must be carefully planned and sequenced. Officials in my Department are currently giving careful consideration to the reform programme with a view to developing implementation proposals.

As part of this process my officials recently organised a seminar on Universal Health Insurance. The seminar was attended by officials from the Dutch Health Ministry as well as officials from the World Health Organisation and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. It provided an opportunity for my officials to understand the achievements and learnings associated with the Dutch health reforms as well as considering international best practice in healthcare reform. It is envisaged that there will be ongoing examination of the experience with health reform in a range of countries. It is worth noting however, that this Government's reform implementation proposals will be designed to fit the Irish system and to obtain the best outcomes for Irish patients.

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