Concerns raised over HSE overhaul

GOVERNMENT PLANS to introduce a new system of seven directorates to replace the Health Service Executive could “increase costs and bureaucracy” and so damage healthcare in communities and for the most vulnerable, the director of Social Justice Ireland has said.

Dr Seán Healy said the new system, rather than integrating healthcare, could see the creation of seven “silos” competing for resources and producing a splintered system.

In December the Cabinet approved the eventual abolition of the HSE to be replaced by a new system of seven directorates to have responsibility for running different aspects of healthcare – hospital care, primary care, mental health, children and family services, social care, public health and corporate/shared services.

Minister for Health James Reilly said the move was “a step along the way” towards the Government’s plan to introduce a system of universal health insurance.

Dr Healy said last night however the new system could take resources away from care.

“While each of these areas [of healthcare] is crucially important in the delivery of a holistic healthcare system, establishing directorates as proposed has the potential to completely undermine the development and effectiveness of primary care teams at local level.

Michelle Murphy, research and policy analyst with the campaigning and research group said: “Government’s restructuring of the HSE should support and not impede the development of a comprehensive system of effective primary care teams at local level.

“The establishment of seven new directorates could well produce the opposite.”

Dr Healy called for a renewed focus on the provision of primary care teams and and social care networks as the basic “building blocks” of local public healthcare provision.

“The former Government had committed to putting 500 primary care teams in place by 2012. Progress has been made but more is required if this essential development is to be secured.”