Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Health if he will issue a final response to a query (details supplied) that was submitted to his office in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39187/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Hospital Groups have been established on a non-statutory administrative basis in line with the Government’s programme for reform of the health service. The establishment of Hospital Groups is designed to deliver more responsive and equitable access to vital services for all patients. Potential benefits include increased efficiency and greater cost-effectiveness, better outcomes for patients, improved accountability and a stronger role for smaller hospitals in the delivery of health services.

Bantry General Hospital is one of nine hospitals that comprise the South/South West Hospital Group. The Hospital Group is chaired by Professor Geraldine McCarthy and I hope to appoint the rest of the Board in the near future. In that regard, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is facilitating a campaign to source suitable nominees for appointment to the administrative Hospital Group Boards. This process is underway, on a phased basis, and the PAS process for the UL Board has recently been completed. Applications for the South /South West Hospital Group Board will be invited in due course.

A reply to your representations has now issued.