Press release
Government approves Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-23
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has today published the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023.
Sláintecare is about delivering a safe, quality health and social care service that meets the needs of our growing population, and attracts and retains the very best healthcare clinicians, managers, and staff.
The new Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023 sets out the priorities and actions for the next phase of the reform programme. The aim is to deliver a universal health service that offers the right care, in the right place, at the right time, at low or no cost.
The Strategy and Action Plan has been developed factoring in the learnings from COVID-19 and the new context within which the health system operates, the agreed Programme for Government and engagement with key stakeholders and partners.
Over the next three years, Sláintecare will work with partners to:
Minister Donnelly said:
"I am delighted that Government has approved the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023 today. This represents the next stage in an exciting and ambitious programme for reform of the health system. I believe Sláintecare is delivering much-needed health reform, and that now is the time to accelerate this."
He continued:
"Considerable progress has already been made in moving Sláintecare from vision to reality. Major foundational decisions have been made by Government, including the establishment of the HSE Board and the approval of the geographies for six new regional health areas, the agreement on the GP, Public Health Doctor, and Consultant Public-only Contracts, the widening of eligibility to citizens for general practice, as well as reduction in prescription charges to the public.
"The government has also committed an additional investment of €1.23bn in Sláintecare initiatives in 2021, with additional capacity being created within acute hospitals, community and social care, the rollout of the enhanced community care programme and promotion of healthy living."
He added:
"We know that our health and social care providers have worked tirelessly throughout the last year. The pandemic has challenged our health services in many ways, but it has also demonstrated the willingness and eagerness of our staff and our systems to innovate and adapt for the benefit of patients. Many of the changes we have seen throughout the pandemic have embodied the core Sláintecare principle of delivering the right care, in the right place, at the right time."
He concluded:
"Now is the time to harness this energy and appetite for change so that we reform our health and social care service for the long-term. I believe that this next phase of the Sláintecare reform programme will do just that."
Laura Magahy, Executive Director of the Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office said:
"Two Sláintecare reform programmes have been identified as requiring urgent focus to deliver on the all-party vision for offering the people of Ireland the right care, in the right place, at the right time. These two reform programmes and associated projects build on the substantial reforms demonstrated through our integration/innovation programme, and resonate with the needs of the public and align with the government’s commitment to move towards universal healthcare.
"Firstly, we know that our waiting lists are too long, and we are committed to reducing them by undertaking a series of connected initiatives focusing on providing extra capacity in the system, encouraging productivity measures, and ensuring that care is offered in the right location, in-order-to ultimately achieve Sláintecare waiting time targets. Secondly, our health is affected by unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. We are committed to addressing health inequalities and move towards universal healthcare in this Programme."
Professor Tom Keane, Chair of the Sláintecare Implementation Advisory Council said:
"The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2023 being launched today, builds on foundational work and steady progress which has been made in implementing the Sláintecare vision for the future of health and social care in Ireland.
"The two Reform Programmes and the associated unprecedented funding will have a major impact on the short, medium and, long term future of Ireland’s health and social care systems. These Programmes are fully aligned to the Sláintecare vision to provide the right care in the right place at the right time and to progress the goal of delivering universal healthcare based on need rather than the ability to pay."
The Sláintecare Implementation and Strategic Action Plan 2021-2023 is closely aligned to the HSE’s Corporate Strategy 2021-2023 and the HSE’s National Service Plan and sets out the key activities that will guide the reform of the health services in 2021 and beyond.
Through research, workshops, and engagement, two Sláintecare Reform Programmes have been prioritised for focused implementation over the next three years.
They are:
These Reform Programmes will involve the work, support, and active engagement of key partners, including the Department of Health, cross government departments, their agencies, in particular the HSE, health and social care workers and their representative organisations, community and voluntary organisations, and the private sector.
o 12 weeks for Inpatient procedure
o 10 weeks for outpatient appointment
o 10 days for diagnostics test
o a maximum waiting time in our EDs of four-hours