Sláintecare implementation board will have its first meeting only this week

Stephen Donnelly said the implementation board was being established to "ensure that the drive for universal healthcare is fully embedded in both the Department of Health and the HSE".

The Government has been accused of lacking the political will to implement Sláintecare after it was revealed that the programme board overseeing the reform of the health service will only have its first meeting this week.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said on November 2 that the board was being established to "ensure that the drive for universal healthcare is fully embedded in both the Department of Health and the HSE" after the resignation of three key figures from the programme and would "meet in the near future".