13.07.2015 Views

Brennan Report - Department of Health and Children

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<strong>Report</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Commission on Financial Management <strong>and</strong> Control Systems in the <strong>Health</strong> ServiceCHAPTER 2OVERVIEW AND ISSUESIn this Chapter, we look at the structures, strengths <strong>and</strong> weaknesses <strong>of</strong> the health service <strong>and</strong> recommend anumber <strong>of</strong> core principles to be followed in dealing with the problems we have identified.2.1 SUMMARYThe health service is the largest single employer in the State. Compared with other public orprivate enterprises, it presents a unique management challenge because <strong>of</strong>:●●●●●The range <strong>of</strong> services involved;The number <strong>and</strong> diversity <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional, technical <strong>and</strong> general staff employed;The implications <strong>of</strong> clinical autonomy in the relationship between doctors <strong>and</strong> patientsfor how accountability for outputs <strong>and</strong> budgetary control is structured;The ever increasing opportunities <strong>of</strong>fered by new medical technologies <strong>and</strong> drugs formore expensive treatments; <strong>and</strong>The expectations <strong>of</strong> service users, including patients.We recognise:● The dedicated <strong>and</strong> committed staff with a strong public service ethos throughout thesector, many <strong>of</strong> whom are working in difficult situations;● The improvements to budget controls since 1996;● That the health sector leads the public sector in service planning; <strong>and</strong>● The value <strong>of</strong> legislative accountability arrangements.However, we have identified two major structural weaknesses in the health service.These are:●●No single institution or person is responsible for the day-to-day management <strong>of</strong> theservice as an integrated national entity; management <strong>and</strong> control is too fragmented.The absence <strong>of</strong> clear accountability for relating clinical <strong>and</strong> other budgets to outputs.The following deficiencies are symptoms <strong>of</strong> these structural weaknesses:●●●●●●Inadequate planning/costing;Unapproved capital expenditure;Unauthorised staff numbers;Non-imposition <strong>of</strong> charges;Accounting deficiencies; <strong>and</strong>Inadequate records/vouching.We have identified four core principles on which the recommendations <strong>of</strong> this report are based:●●●●The health service should be managed as a single national system.Accountability should rest with those who have the authority to commit the expenditure.All costs incurred should be capable <strong>of</strong> being allocated to individual patients.Good financial management <strong>and</strong> control should not be seen solely as a finance function.18

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