The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) today launched a public consultation on its draft Corporate Plan 2013-2015, which will outline the direction and focus of the organisation for the next three years.

Members of the public are being invited to give their views on this Plan and on the strategic objectives that will provide direction for the Authority over the next three years. HIQA has reviewed each of its priority areas of work to ensure it has maximum impact on the quality and safety of health and social care services.

Submissions on priority areas of work for the Authority will be reviewed to produce a final draft concentrating on four outcomes, namely: that care is improved, people are safeguarded, people are informed and that policy and service decisions are informed.

According to HIQA’s Chairperson Pat McGrath, “The next three years will be a very important time for health and social care services in Ireland. For the Authority, preparing for new functions while refining and improving our approach to existing functions will involve significant programmes of work. The Corporate Plan is intended to incorporate these developments over that period in a co-ordinated and well-managed way. Submissions from members of the public and other stakeholders are most welcome to inform our priorities over the next three years.”

In addition to consulting with key stakeholders and the general public, the Plan will be informed by HIQA’s own statutory remit, along with significant policy developments and documents including Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012-2015. The Corporate Plan is being developed in the context of the wider environment, including preparing for additional functions that are proposed to be assigned to the Authority over the coming years.

The Plan is influenced by the Authority’s mission and values: better health and social care for all, underpinned by standards and decisions that inform and develop safety and quality. It includes a strategy map on one page that articulates the direction the Authority will take during the three-year period, specifically; outcomes that HIQA aims to achieve in order to deliver on its mission and defining what core activities, strategic objectives and key enablers must be in place for the Authority to deliver on the Plan.

Following this consultation, all submissions will be considered and will inform the final Corporate Plan that may result in changes to the Plan being published today. When approved by the Board, the final Corporate Plan 2013–2015 will be submitted to the Minister for Health for his consideration and published when approved.

The draft Corporate Plan is on the Authority’s website, www.hiqa.ie and the deadline for receipt of feedback is 5pm on Monday 22 April 2013. To take part in the consultation members of the public can complete a brief survey online via the website, or by filling in the consultation feedback form and returning it either by email to corporateplan@hiqa.ie or by post to: Corporate Plan, Chief Executive’s Office, Health Information and Quality Authority, Unit 1301 City Gate, Mahon, Cork.

Further Information: 

Sinead Whooley, Communications Manager, Health Information and Quality Authority
Tel: 01 814 7488/ 087 9221941 Email: swhooley@hiqa.ie