Newsletter January / February 2010

There was a lot of coverage recently of the first two years of operation of the Health Service Executive complaints process in relation to disability services. DFI contributed to the discussion in the media and stated that,

“In Ireland we now know enough about the importance of having robust systems to deliver and monitor the quality of person centred services to people who can be vulnerable. Timely and effective systems for governance, management and performance review as well as complaints and redress systems are essential elements of that.”

We must continue to work with the HSE to ensure that lessons are learned from the complaints gathered to date, and we must actively support any changes and developments that are required.

The findings of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Service, due to be published in September of this year, must equally support organisations in their efforts to provide appropriate and necessary health and personal social services to people with disabilities.

Almost two hundred submissions were received by the Department of Health and Children following their recent Consultation on the Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Disability Services in Ireland. It is anticipated that the Department will be holding further consultation with the public in relation to disability policy and service delivery.

DFI would encourage all organisations to contribute to this consultation process, and to prepare for the publication of the Review later this year.

This is a key element of DFIs work for 2010 and we are very interested in working with all member organisations on this.

John Dolan
CEO