The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) today gave a cautious welcome to the proposed health service reforms, but warned that without investment in health no real change or improvement can take place in front line services.
INO General Secretary Mr Liam Doran said that investment had to be increased to allow the service deal with the demands upon it. This is "the only way we can avoid overcrowding, people being cared for on trolleys in A&E departments and reduce waiting lists," he said.
The INO said it will participate in forthcoming discussions with the Department of Health and Children and noted that the proposed structure appeared to have the potential to speed up decision making and enpower front line staff by the creation of a flattened management structure.
But the organisation said the Government must complete the reform process by:
- agreeing a new contract with consultants and publishing the Hanley Report;
- providing all of the necessary investment to allow for the full on-going implementation of the Health Strategy, including extra acute and non acute beds and enhanced primary care services;
- and providing the funding to allow for the immediate re-opening of all closed beds as well as the restoration of full services in the community;
Meanwhile, leading health union IMPACT has told the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, that his proposed round of consultations on health reform will "cut little ice" with health staff.
IMPACT represents over 25,000 health workers, and in a statement issued after a briefing session for trade unions today, it said health staff would not be impressed with the proposals unless they showed real evidence of a genuine attempt by the Government to improve services.
The union's national secretary Mr Kevin Callinan said ordinary people did not care about the number of health boards, and were much more interested in whether they can received quality care when they need it.
He said an improved health service would not become a reality unless the Government is prepared to commit to the abolition of the current two tier system and confront those who defend it.
The key agency which faciltates health management said the proposed programme of reform must be carefully managed if it is to result in a better health service.
Mr Denis Doherty, director of the Office for Health Management (OHM) said it was vital that the service to patients is protected and maintained during any transition period. He said the OHM would work to support the changes and will lead the communication and consultation process at the request of the Department of Health.
Mr Doherty said it was crucial that workers in the health services fully understood the reform programme and that the purpose of the proposed changes be set out clearly at the outset.