A number of factors are combining to change the strategic context in which acute hospital services are provided in Ireland:

• Demographics
• Changes in primary, community and continuing care services
• Existing and emerging national strategies e.g. cancer, renal, cardiovascular disease  etc
• Role of private providers and the proposed National Co-location Procurement  Initiative

A Joint HSE/Department of Health and Children Group has been established to oversee the steps being taken to plan for, and progress, the optimum configuration of acute hospital services. The group tracks progress on individual regional reviews and generally ensures that plans emerging in one area, or for one service, are integrated with each other and are consistent with overall policy development and implementation. 

The HSE is responsible for ensuring that a clear framework is in place for health strategy & associated planning and resources.  This framework must be kept up to date as public needs and expectations develop and as the capacity of the HSE responds to provide modern diagnosis and treatment changes.

Link to Report of the Committee to Review Neurosurgical Services in Ireland
Link to Report on Integration of Services in Mid West
Link to Review of Emergency Departments and Pre-hospital Emergency Care in Cork and Kerry

Click here for HSE Publications on Hospitals

Related Links

Click here to link to Sept 2009 Performance Monitoring Report article - Reconfiguration (93.1KB PDF)

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