Recruitment and “capacity constraints” have caused an increase in the number of “significant” delays in Sláintecare measures, heard a recent HSE and Department of Health meeting.
The issue was discussed at the Sláintecare programme board meeting on 11 December.
The board is co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department Mr Robert Watt and the HSE CEO Mr Bernard Gloster.
The December meeting was briefed on progress on the Sláintecare 2023 Action Plan.
According to the November progress report, 82 of 128 (64 per cent) deliverables were “on track, or completed for 2023”, with 30 (23 per cent) experiencing a minor delay and 14 (11 per cent) significantly delayed.
It was noted that the number of deliverables showing a significant delay had increased since the September board meeting and that “recruitment and capacity constraints are a recurring theme underlining these delays”.
At last month’s meeting, board members also agreed steps to finalise the draft new Sláintecare strategic framework with a view to sharing the draft with the Minister for Health “in the near future”.
Members noted that the vision of the framework was to “provide universal, accessible, affordable, person-centred, safe, and quality social care for all the people of Ireland”.
The board meetings also heard that the health service was treating significantly more patients than previously.
“The significant progress in addressing waiting times through various initiatives being driven through the Waiting List Action Plan throughout 2023 were commended,” read the minutes.
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