Experts call for health reform model

TWO leading hospital consultants have called for the establishment of a national forum on healthcare modelled on the lines of social partnership to drive health reform.

John R Higgins, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the UCC department of obstetrics and gynaecology and Cork University Maternity Hospital; and his colleague, Richard A Greene, professor of clinical obstetrics, say change could be achieved with a forum that has cross-party support and includes representatives from all stakeholders akin to social partnership.

“It should be resourced by a secretariat and manned by the best our civil service can provide. It should be time limited. Particular effort should be made to the seek the views of the general public,” said Prof Higgins.