Public hospital funding and patient access
Harney argued that hospital funding should reflect the number of public patients treated, to avoid incentives to favour private patients. O’Hanlon said a commission was reviewing health-service funding and administration, and he would await its report before major changes; he considered current allocations equitable. Harney criticized the Minister’s reliance on committees, and the Ceann Comhairle then ended Question Time.
asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a new funding system for public hospitals which will ensure equality of access for public/ private patients.
Comment on this
As the Deputy is aware, I have set up a Commission on Health Funding to examine the funding of the health services including public hospitals, and to make recommendations on the extent and sources of the future funding required to provide an equitable, comprehensive and cost-effective public health service and on any changes in administration which seem desirable for that purpose. It is hoped that the commission's report will be available within the next few months.
Access for both public and private patients to public hospitals is at present, and will continue to be, determined on the basis of medical assessment of need.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that it is grossly unsatisfactory that public hospitals, some of which receive allocations of approximately £30 million annually — should receive such moneys regardless of the number of public patients they treat; that that constitutes a clear incentive to treat private patients for which they will receive extra money? Would the Minister agree that the funding system should be revised to ensure that the money given to hospitals is related only to patients treated?
Comment on this
As I have told the Deputy, I have set up a commission on funding in the health services. We are awaiting their report which will be examined carefully in due course.
Comment on this
Has the Minister any views of his own? I might add that, in response to every single question today, he has told the House that he has established either a committee or a working group. Can the Minister inform the House how many working groups he has established since assuming office?
Comment on this
On the questions concerned, I referred to two working parties, one on the dental services and a major commission on funding——
Comment on this
I am satisfied that the allocations are made in an equitable way to the hospitals and I will await the report of this commission before any major changes are made.
