Major rearrangement of hospital services confirmed

A MAJOR rearrangement of hospital services was confirmed yesterday amid confusion about how patients and staff will be affected.

In a departure from the recommendations of the controversial Hanly Report on reform of the health service, all hospitals will now be grouped in four large networks defined by geographical location.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) described the move simply as "greater co-ordination within the four regions" South, West, Dublin-Mid Leinster and Dublin-North East.

But opposition politicians have warned hospitals as far apart as Limerick and Donegal could be expected to share services and that hospitals of equal status will be made subservient to one major hospital in each region.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) industrial relations officer, Fintan Hourihan, said: "We would be expecting detailed communication from the HSE on what exactly has been decided, what the implications are and how they propose to consult with staff."

The re-organisation plan is at odds with the Hanly Report which urged the creation of a National Hospitals Office working through 10 regional hospital networks, each with one major acute hospital offering a wide range of specialities, supported by smaller local hospitals providing more routine services.

The HSE said yesterday the National Hospitals Office would remain key to the plan but would not say what would happen to the newly appointed, and now surplus, network managers.

A HSE source said the details of the reorganisation had to be teased out but said the full impact would become evident within the coming weeks and months.

Also, a completely new initiative was announced the creation of a series of

National Care Groups which will act as advisors to the HSE.

The HSE also announced the setting up of a Reform Planning and Implementation Unit to oversee the various reorganisation plans and new initiatives.