HSE Planning and Performance Committee Meeting Minutes 24 May 2024

Committee Members Present

Fergus Finlay (Chair), Brendan Whelan, Sarah McLoughlin, Joan Johnston, Sarah Barry, Anne Carrigy.

HSE Executive Attendance

David Walsh (ND Community Operations), Tony Canavan (REO West/North West), Dara Purcell (Corporate Secretary), Rebecca Kennedy (Office of the Board).

Joined the Meeting

Mark Brennock (ND Communications - Item 2.4), Risteárd Ó Laoide (ND National Cancer Control Programme – Item 3), Joe Ryan (ND Operational Performance and Integration – Item 3), Orla Treacy (Operational Performance and Integration - Items 3-5), Robert Kidd (AND Acute Operations – Item 3), Bernard O’Regan (AND Disability Services - Items 4-5).

Minutes reflect the order in which items were considered and are numbered in accordance with the original agenda. All performance/activity data used in this document refers to the latest information available at the time.

The Committee held a private session to review the agenda, the relevant papers and approach to conducting the meeting, noting that the focus of the meeting would be to receive updates on key items and to suggest relevant actions as they became apparent.

2.1 Declarations of Interest

No conflicts of interest were declared.

2.2 Minutes of Committee Meetings

The Committee approved the minutes of 16 February 2024.

2.3 Matters for Noting

• Enhanced Community Care (ECC) data re Chronic Disease Management and Integrated Care Programme for Older People (ICPOP) discharges

The Committee discussed the above update which was requested at its January meeting and circulated in advance of the meeting. It outlined information relating to the number of overall ICPOP patient contacts that are being provided to people in their own homes, as well as broader information on the ECC programme and its deliverables.

The Committee requested that in future updates, as well as setting out the progress being made in this area, reports should address the challenges and issues impacting service provision and highlight deficits in care in the service. The importance of rolling out sufficient IT support was highlighted as a key enabler for community care and critical for measuring performance in these services.

• Update re Genetic and Genomic Medicine Strategy

The Committee noted the above report which was circulated in advance of the meeting. It outlined the HSE’s approach for developing a sustainable patient and family centred genetics and genomics service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. The report included a summary of deliverables for the implementation of the Strategy.

2.4 HSE in the News

The ND Communications provided the Committee with an update on current HSE media coverage, particularly in relation to University Hospital Limerick and the upcoming Justice Frank Clarke Report.

The COO Performance Report and Performance Profile (March Data) which had been circulated prior to the meeting, were noted. The ND Community Operations confirmed that the interim performance oversight process with the Regions and National services took place in early May. The majority of latest performance information related to March 2024 and any available real time data was also utilised in these reports.

The Committee noted the key strategic and operational updates outlined in the COO Performance Report and Performance Profile, and the discussion for this item focused on Cancer Services. R Ó Laoide updated the Committee on the functioning of Cancer Services under the Health Regions and advised that a strong supporting central pillar in NCCP combined with integrated cancer networks will be required under the new structures to facilitate the requirements for centralisation of specialised services and national guidelines etc, and the decentralisation of most services at a regional level nearer the patients home. The benefits that the appointment of a cancer lead in each region would bring were highlighted by R Ó Laoide. He advised that this will be discussed with the REOs in June and the Committee acknowledged the potential benefits of the creation of these roles.

R Ó Laoide updated the Committee on the National Radiology Review, advising that the Steering Group and Working Groups, commenced work on the development of a 5 Year National Strategic Plan for Radiology Services in early 2024. The Five Year National Strategic Plan will set the future direction of radiology for Ireland. The Committee noted that improvements in IT structure are expected to be highlighted as part of the Review and the roll out of the Individual Health Identifier will be critical in this regard.

The Committee noted the Quarterly Progress Report and associated documentation which was circulated in advance of the meeting.

The Committee discussed with ND Community Operations the challenges with the rollout/implementation of the Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023 – 2025 Disability Services for Children and Young People (the Roadmap).

The Committee was briefed on the work of four Roadmap Working Groups (WGs) which were established to cover: Integrated Children’s Services; Service Access and Improvement; Workforce; and Communication and Engagement. Discussions are ongoing in relation to the establishment of a fifth WG to cover Health and Education.

The Committee reviewed the reasons the recruitment campaigns for the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) which ran in early 2024 were not successful and noted the challenges associated with filling the posts required for the implementation of the Roadmap. The ND Community Operations updated the Committee on negotiations in relation to pay for Section 38/39 employees currently underway in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the implementation of a pay deal reached in October.

In response to queries from the Committee in relation to expansion of training and clinical placements, the ND Communications advised that there is work in relation to capacity and future workforce which needs focus and the recent appointment of a national lead for Disability HR will assist here. The ND Community Operations also advised that in relation Assessment of Need (AON) services, outsourcing is possible and engagement is ongoing with private providers, however, the tenders are dependent on Ministerial approval.

The Committee noted recruitment and retention is the most significant area for improvement to ensure effective delivery of services across all CDNTs and emphasised that a sustainable model for recruitment and retention must be put place. The Committee welcomed that the HSE is offering all new graduates permanent positions, similar to the programme for nursing.

The Committee expressed concern in relation to the impact the recruitment and retention challenges are having on the timelines for the delivery of the Roadmap which had been impacted by the recent industrial action.

The Committee requested management to urgently consider how short, medium and long-term sustainability measures for education, recruitment and retention and clinical placement can be implemented to ensure staff well-being and safety and in turn delivery of the best services for children and families.

5.1 Report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters: Towards harmonisation of national legislation with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Committee noted the above report and briefing note which was circulated in advance of the meeting.

5.2 Briefing Note re a Section 39 Organisation

The Chair briefed the Committee on care provision for a certain service user in a Section 39 Organisation. He confirmed that assurances have been provided that they are receiving appropriate care.

No matters were raised under this item.

The meeting ended at 13:50.