Fundamental Changes Required for Real Health Service Reform, says VHI

16th November 1999 - VHI today (16 November 1999) welcomed the inclusion of the health services in the national development plan for the first time and the announcement of a £2 billion investment programme in the health services over the next seven years.

Speaking at the IPD Western region meeting in Galway, VHI Medical Director Dr Bernadette Carr said: "VHI fully supports the Minister for Health & Children's drive to transform Ireland's health services. To do this he has some fundamental decisions to make.

Our healthcare system needs to become more integrated. Instead of being service orientated we need to focus on patient outcomes. Hospitals need to rethink their place in the health system and the main driver for hospital reform should be the continued need for better quality. Formal accreditation for all hospitals, public and private, should be mandatory. The role of primary care should be expanded and patients should be included as a full participant in healthcare planning . Closer links between GPs and Consultants also need to be developed," said Dr Carr.

Health insurers should be freed up to offer an expanded range of products and services as outlined in the Government White Paper on Private Health Insurance. This requires legislative changes as soon as possible. VHI research shows a clear demand amongst our 1.5 million members for new products like primary care and GP cover, dental benefit and occupational healthcare products.