Tánaiste hires experts in bid to raise private cash for health strategy

THE Government has hired a group of experts to devise a strategy to encourage private investors into the health service as part of its radical plans to solve the A&E crisis.

Health Minister Mary Harney confirmed Prospectus Consultants have been hired to develop a national blueprint for expanding the role of the private sector in the provision of healthcare.

The Tánaiste believes such investment is vital to alleviate pressure on acute hospital beds and A&E units. It would also allow the development of primary care through private financing of one-stop shops where patients could access a variety of services under one roof.

The Primary Care Strategy envisages the roll-out of up to 600 one-stop shops by 2011 at a cost of €1.27 billion.

In an interview in today’s Irish Examiner, Ms Harney also revealed the Government is to spend up to €5.2 million this year on a homecare package, as part of its plan to deal with the A&E crisis. This will involve the transfer of up to 500 “clinically fit” patients out of hospitals into their own homes. Those who qualify will receive approximately €200 a week.

Ms Harney said Prospectus, the firm which carried out an audit of health service structures and functions, was due to report to her by February 24.

They (Prospectus) are to help me and the department to provide a policy approach to how we can use private sector initiatives to bring forward health initiatives.”

Ms Harney said from the end of February, “it will be clear what the policy is in relation to private sector initiatives in healthcare.” She said she was keen to use the grounds of existing hospitals for such developments.

She also said she hopes the new “doctor only” medical cards will be available in April.

“It appears now that there will be a need for legislation as the doctor cards are going to be given on a different basis to the other medical cards. Hopefully that will be done quickly and then there will have to be an application process,” she said.

Nor did she rule out an end to the automatic entitlement to a medical card for those over 70.

“I can’t say to you that five years from now, that everyone who hits 70 is going to get a medical card. But everyone who has the card today on the basis of being 70, that will not be withdrawn.”