David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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655. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the full establishment and operation of regional health areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17454/22]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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656. To ask the Minister for Health the six geographical areas identified and agreed regarding the establishment of regional health areas; if he expects those geographical boundaries to change; the hospitals which will fall into each geographically aligned area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17455/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656 together.

I refer the Deputy to documentation published on my Department’s website in July 2019 (www.gov.ie/en/publication/4eda4-slaintecare-regional-health-areas-rhas/#geographies-of-the-regional-health-areas). This was published on foot of the Government decision approving the geographies for the six regional health areas (RHAs). It details the geographies of the six regional health areas, including the hospitals, Community Healthcare Organisations and Local Health Offices contained within each.

The RHA boundaries were decided following detailed population and health infrastructure analyses of patient service usage patterns across the country. This analysis examined patient flows to establish the extent to which hospitals in a given region are serving patients who live in that region. The regions are designed to be as self-contained as possible across the country. Available infrastructure and population demographics were considered extensively when they were being developed. There is no plan at this time to re-examine the boundaries as we have no indication that infrastructure or demographics have changed significantly in a way since then that would require a re-assessment.

The scale of change required to regionalise our health service is significant. It will require careful and comprehensive design, planning, and implementation to achieve the objectives and benefits of Regional Health Areas while maintaining and improving the delivery of health services through the transition process. A detailed implementation plan will be finalised in 2022. The transition to RHAs will take place throughout 2023. It is expected that RHAs will be fully operational by Q1 2024.