Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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505. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the implementation of the patient voice partner policy to ensure that patient advocates are supported in the work that they do. [27206/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health has been working on a policy for the selection and remuneration of a certain cohort of patient representatives. The Department recognises and values the vital role that patients play in the development of health policy and the reform of health services.

Throughout the health service, patient representatives make a significant contribution on an ongoing basis to the work of the Department of Health, the HSE and health agencies. These representatives are patients/service users who are willing to share their experiences and perspectives of the health service to inform the development and reform of health policy and services.

The purpose of developing a Patient Voice Partner Policy is to ensure that patient participation is embedded in health policy and service development and to ensure that Patient Voice Partners are recognised and valued for their contribution through renumeration. The policy will set out guidance for organisations on the recruitment and selection of and the rates of remuneration for certain categories of patient representatives which are defined in the policy.

Final work on the PVP policy is underway, and the Minister for Health hopes that it will be published shortly.