Health board numbers and reform
Mitchell called for reform, citing weak accountability, overdue audits and top-heavy structures, while asking whether the number of boards should be reduced. O’Hanlon ruled out reducing their number but said he was reviewing board structures and management arrangements.
asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to reduce the number of health boards.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that the health boards are in urgent need of reform and democratisation? There is a feeling that they are aloof from the people and are not accountable to the Department of Health, to this House or to the local authorities. Would the Minister further agree that the spending of the health boards is not adequately monitored since the auditing of the health board accounts is in arrears and, again, there is no direct accountability either to this House or the local authorities? Because of those two points I ask the Minister to reconsider this matter.
Comment on this
I am satisfied the health boards are representative of the people, the local authority and the professional people working in the health service.
Comment on this
They are subject to local government audit in the same way as other local authorities.
Comment on this
The Minister will be aware that the local government audit in most cases is seriously in arrears. Will he agree that the health boards are topheavy at board level and programme manager level and that there is urgent need for reform? The whole system lacks accountability and any sort of credibility.
Comment on this
We are examining reform in the health boards. The Deputy's question refers specifically to the number of health boards, and it is not my intention to reduce the number. My intention is to review the structures in the health boards particularly in relation to the programmes and whether there should be a general manager in a geographic area.