The design phase of the integrated service delivery (ISD) model that underpins the new integrated healthcare areas (IHAs) is “well underway”, the Department of Health has stated.
The IHAs are described as the “substructures” within each of the six new health regions. There will be 20 IHAs in total. They will serve a population of around 300,000 and will take account of local geographies, population size, needs and services.
The new health regions, which were commenced on 1 March, will be “gradually introduced” until the end of September.
The implementation of the IHAs will continue in “phases” after September, the Department spokesperson told the Medical Independent (MI).
The matter of IHAs was discussed at the Sláintecare programme board meeting in April. Members were told of “solid progress” with the transition to the health regions.
The minutes noted the draft integrated service delivery model “designed to better align acute and community services, is being worked through and will be delivered in summer 2024”.
Several workshops with representatives from the main stakeholder groups, including patients, took place in May and June and further engagement is planned.
The spokesperson added that there is “significant” involvement of the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of the six health regions in the development and delivery of the ISD design.
The spokesperson said that at the end of September, “Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations will be stood down and the health region executive management teams and IHAs will be established”.
Separately, the spokesperson said the delegation of statutory functions for acute and community operations from national directors to REOs has taken place.
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