§ 27. Mr. Temple-MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what co-operation takes place between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on health care; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HanleyThere have been regular and useful meetings between the Health Ministers for a number of years, I have met Dr. O'Hanlon TD, Minister of Health, on two occasions during the past year. Staff from both Departments meet to review areas of existing co-operation and to examine the possibilities for further co-operation as and when the need arises. There are also exchanges between chief executives and managers and long-standing co-operation between professional staff north and south.
The arrangements for co-operation cover the whole spectrum of health care and discussions and initiatives have included health promotion; the provision of highly specialised treatments to each other's patients; joint emergency planning exercises; the export of health care services to other countries and the purchasing of equipment and supplies.
Co-operation of this nature has been of mutual benefit to both health services and the populations they serve.