FG manifesto commits to reform of health service funding

Fine Gael will commit to a major reform of health service funding in their general election manifesto.

The party is to propose multi-annual budgeting from 2017 onwards allowing the health service to commit to a long-term funding plan.

The move, which was called for by HSE chief executive Tony O’Brien, will end the practice of annual budgets and plans for the health service.

The manifesto will also commit to “five years of investment” in the health sector. However, it will stress the money has to be matched with a strategy that will be focused on the primary care sector, delayed discharges and increased capacity in accident and emergency departments.

The Irish Times also understands there will be a requirement for increased safety standards in hospitals.

A party source said the vision in the Programme for Government “is out of date” and the manifesto will commit to a new one. Another party source said: “It will outline sustained improvements that can be funded appropriately.

“It will also state that the funding is now available due to the improving economy. The money will be matched with a strategy which have been already outlined by the Minister for Health [Leo Varadkar].

“It will be based on three pillars – keeping people who don’t need to be in hospital out of hospital by investing in the primary care sector, increased capacity in A&E and the whole area of delayed discharges which have been reduced significantly.” Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar has said he will only remain in Health after the election if given the necessary “resources and authority”.