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Health Minister & Dept. Secretary General To Appear Before Oireachtas Health Committee Today

File image: Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly/RollingNews

They'll take questions on Sláintecare.


Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Health Department Secretary General Robert Watt are appearing before the Joint Committee on Health today.

Kildare North Fine Gael TD, Bernard Durkan, is a member of the committee.

The minister and the secretary general will issue an up-date on the implementation of Sláintecare.

The future of the health reform plan has been thrown into doubt following three high profile resignations from its implementation advisory group.

The Health Minister has confirmed that'll now to be replaced with a new group with a shorter remit, focusing on regional health areas.

Health Committee Cathaoirleach Seán Crowe TD said: “There is very serious concern about the pace of reform and the future of the programme. Tomorrow’s meeting is a welcome opportunity for members to question the Minister and the Secretary General of the Department on a number of issues around Sláintecare including the recent resignations and the reasons behind them, progress being made on the programme, details of plans for a new implementation group and plans to tackle patients lists.”

The head of the Department of Health has described resistance to change in the health service as "nonsense" and a "conspiracy theory".

Robert Watt was appearing before an Oireachtas Committee after a number of figures involved in implementing Sláintecare resigned.

Chair of the Sláintecare advisory council Dr Tom Keane said in a resignation letter that change was impossible.

Our Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has this report

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