Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Department of Health

Health Service Reform

6:00 pm

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 370: 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. [12515/11]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he has 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. [12516/11]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.

This Government is committed to implementing a comprehensive programme of health reform, the ultimate objective of which is to ensure equal access to health care based on need, not income. This objective will be achieved through a single-tier health service supported by universal health insurance.

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 organised a seminar on Universal Health Insurance which was attended by officials from the Dutch Health Ministry, the World Health Organisation and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Furthermore, next month my officials will be undertaking a study visit to the Netherlands to examine in more detail the Dutch health reform programme. Such seminars and visits provide an important opportunity for my officials to understand the achievements and learning associated with the Dutch health reforms as well as considering international best practice in health care reform.

It is envisaged that there will be ongoing examination of the experience of 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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