6.18 Notice of Motion from Councillor Ward – Disbanding of HSE

I am calling on the Government and the Minister of Health Mr. Simon Harris T.D. to disband the HSE and to set up a Regional Health Boards in the country to deal with all health issues.

Reply:  This Motion requires a resolution of the Council.

The motion was SECONDED by Cllr. KIlduff

The Cathaoirleach asked if the motions from Cllr. Ward and Cllr. Byrne could be taken together as they both concerned the HSE but Cllr. Ward said that as his motion called for the disbanding of HSE and setting up of Regional Health forum he was not prepared to support the reformation motion. Cllr. Byrne did not agree that the HSE would be disbanded and could not amend her motion.

The Cathaoirleach then stated that Cllr. Wards motion would be discussed first .

Cllr Ward in moving the motion, said that the formation of the HSE in 2006 has proved to be  a failure. There are many good people in the HSE at middle management and front line staff but when the Head of the HSE was not aware of what was happening in the Cervical Screening Programme, it was time to disband and reform under the old health board system. He said that last Tuesday he brought this motion to the HSE forum and it was agreed by the members.

Members debated as follows:

·         Recent correspondence from the Minister has stated again that queries from individual Council members should be made to the HSE via the members on the HSE forum. Under the old Health Board system, answers were forthcoming but cannot get real answers from the HSE Forum.

·         The governance of the HSE needs to be brought back to a Regional level where there is accountability.

·         The recent scandal of the Cervical Screening programme is symptom of how the HSE has failed the public. The people want the Minister to take charge.

·         Whether the HSE is disbanded or reformed, there is a huge lack of confidence in HSE.

·         The HSE will not be disbanded and cannot support this motion

·         There are so many recent examples of disfunction including the mental health services and the attitude of senior management is highly questionable.

·         Lack of accountability  - HSE needs to be reformed or changed

The Cathaoirleach then asked Cllr. Byrne to speak on her Notice of Motion before the members voted on Cllr. Wards motion.

7.18 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Byrne - Reformation of HSE

That Roscommon County Council call for the reformation of the HSE from its present format as the general public have long been aware of it’s failure to deliver a service that meets its need.

Cllr. Byrne stated that there was no point in taking her motion but the reason that she had put it on the Agenda was that as HAC independent member of the Council, she felt responsible that the people should have their say. She also said that she wants the Council to have a united front together in relation to their resolution regarding the HSE. She further stated that so many of the recent scandals have affected women in particular.

Cllr. Kilduff stated that the members of the forum were not informed regarding X-Rays not taking place at Roscommon Hospital however Cllr. Byrne further clarified one of the two X-Ray rooms in Roscommon Hospital is being refurbished for safety reasons and it was important to know that chest and emergency X-Rays are still going ahead.

The Cathaoirleach then asked the Meetings Administrator take a Vote on Cllr. Ward’s motion.

VOTING FOR COUNCILLOR WARD’S MOTION:

Councillors Fallon, Kilduff, Shanagher, Ward, Connaughton, Cummins, Creighton, Callaghan, Leyden (9)

VOTING AGAINST COUNCILLOR WARD’S MOTION:

Councillors Connolly, Byrne, Mulligan, Murphy (4).

ABSTENTIONS:

Councillors Dineen, Keogh, Fitzmaurice, Doherty, Naughten (5)

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Ward’s Motion carried and that it be circulated to all councils.