Written answers

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Department of Health

Health Service Capacity Review

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the health service capacity review; the timeframe for publication of the review and its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51277/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Work on the Health Service Capacity Review is at an advanced stage. As previously indicated, the review has a wider scope than previous exercises in that it is examining key elements of primary and community care capacity in addition to acute hospital capacity.

Independent external technical, analytical and engagement expertise (PA Consulting Services Ltd.) was commissioned by my Department to assist with the health service capacity review process. The work undertaken has involved a detailed, complex and multi-layered exercise, comprising data gathering, analysis of that data, baseline forecasting of both demand and associated capacity requirements for each area and consideration and modelling of the potential impacts of policy change and productivity improvements.

In addition, the company has consulted widely with stakeholders with a focus on data and modelling validation together with identification, verification and consideration of key policies and initiatives that are likely to have an impact on capacity requirements. Separately, my Department also undertook a public consultation process to facilitate input by members of the public and interested groups into the process.

A steering group comprising senior officials from my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach, the HSE and experts with a clinical and academic background is providing guidance and oversight of the review process. In addition, an international peer review group comprising three international health experts is in place to review and validate the methodology and findings.

The Review will provide a basis for determining both the extent of capacity requirements over the next 15 years and the type of capacity needed. The findings will also inform the development of a new 10 year national capital plan.

I expect to receive the final report by the end of the year and I would hope to be in a position to have the report published as soon as possible thereafter.

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