Four expert advisory groups have been appointed to advise the Health Service Executive on a range of health and social issues, including services for older people and children.
HSE chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm today announced the membership of the first four such groups, which will advise on older people, children, mental health and diabetes.
Each group has 20 members, drawn from a range of backgrounds, mainly from within the health sector. The groups include GPs, consultants and patients.
The HSE said they will provide "a central platform within the HSE for clinical and health communities, patients, clients, managers and carers to become actively involved in the development and transformation of specific health and social care services".
Over 600 people expressed an interest in joining one of the expert groups after the HSE invited applications last February.
Other groups are expected to be established in due course, the HSE said.
"It is essential that people who are at the frontline providing services including doctors, consultants and nurses as well as those who are at the receiving end of our services - patients, clients and carers - become involved in influencing how such services are planned and developed," Prof Drumm said.
"I am delighted we now have a constructive framework in which to utilise the enormous practical expertise that is available to us."