New health services watchdog launched

A new health services watchdog has been launched in a bid to improve their level of quality and safety.

The Irish Health services accreditation scheme is a voluntary process of assessment, which leads to hospitals being awarded a quality mark in healthcare.

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Brian Lenihan, is rejecting claims that will be yet another administrative board with little power.

“It is not just a talking shop it is a body that will be working on the front line to ensure the highest standards. In relation to the wider question to be raised about a plethora of boards in the Health System, there is a review of that in the Department at present.”