Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Health if, in conjunction with the implementation of the Sláintecare report, a radical reorganisation of the HSE will be ensured (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28331/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Sláintecare report makes a number of recommendations in relation to improving health service structures, governance and accountability, including the establishment of a governing board for the HSE and the establishment of regional bodies to support the delivery of integrated care.

A range of actions are already underway in response to the Sláintecare report. Work is at an advanced stage in my Department in developing a Sláintecare Implementation Plan. The plan will translate the Sláintecare Report into a detailed programme of reform over the next 10 years, with a focus on the immediate years ahead. I have already signalled my support for the Committee's recommendations in relation to structures, governance and accountability and these will form an integral component of the Implementation Plan. I expect to bring this Plan to Government very shortly.

As part of delivering early on this element of the reform programme, the Government has agreed to the establishment of an independent board for the HSE. The required legislation is being drafted and it is hoped that it can pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas and be enacted quickly.

The task of identifying the optimal set of health structures and the most appropriate governance, accountability and performance framework for the future health system will also be an important stream of work under the Sláintecare programme of reforms. As an initial first step, my Department has undertaken a public consultation regarding the geographical alignment of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. The outputs from this consultation process will inform the development of detailed proposals in this area, including the role and function of regional bodies.

Reducing waiting times and the numbers on waiting lists is a key priority for the Government and will form an important component of the forthcoming Sláintecare Implementation Plan. I have already put in place a number of important initiatives to improve waiting times.

In Budget 2018, €50 million was provided to the NTPF to provide treatment for public patients this year, which more than doubled its 2017 total allocation for the NTPF.  The NTPF will provide all the treatment for patients in both public and private hospitals.

I published the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan in April, a joint initiative between my Department, the NTPF and the HSE with the aim of reducing the overall number of patients waiting for treatment. 

My Department, the HSE and the NTPF are in the process of finalising an Outpatient Action Plan for 2018.  Also, this month I approved the establishment of a Central Validation Office in the National Treatment Purchase Fund in order to centralise the validation of all waiting lists across the HSE.