asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, his Department have for the inclusion of patients' representatives, staff and members of the public on hospital management boards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Management Boards.
16.
As the Deputy is aware, the management authorities for the public voluntary hospitals vary widely. Some are owned and operated by religious orders; others are incorporated by charter or statute and work under lay boards of governors or committees of management. I have no function in making appointments to the boards or committees of most of these hospitals. As Minister for Health, I make appointments to the boards of management of only two hospitals, namely St. Laurence's and St. Luke's.
I would point out to the Deputy that most of our hospitals are under the jurisdiction of the health boards, whose membership includes representatives of hospital staffs and also public representatives who may be regarded as representating generally the interests of the public and the patients.