This section provides links to recently published policy/strategy documents in Ireland and Northern Ireland . Calls for responses/submissions on relevant public policy issues are also highlighted to provide users of the Public Health Policy Centre resources with the opportunity to influence public policy on the island.

·                             The Department of Health and Children have recently published (June 2008) the Second Report of the Independent Monitoring Group on A Vision for Change (the Republic of Ireland strategy for mental health). A copy of this report can be accessed on the Department’s website.

·                             The Department of Health and Children have recently published a new HIV and AIDS         Education and Prevention Plan 2008-2012. A copy of the action plan can be downloaded from the Departments website.

·          The Department of Health and Children is currently seeking responses to the proposed Health Information Bill.

·          This bill deals with the collection, use, sharing, storage, disclosure and transfer of personal health information as well as the rights of individuals to control and access their health information. The main purposes of the proposed Bill will be to establish a legislative framework to enable information to be used to best effect to enhance medical care and patient safety throughout the health system, to facilitate the greater use of information technologies for better delivery of patient services, and to underpin an effective information governance structure for the health system generally.

            More information on the public consultation process, including the Discussion Document on the Bill and an accompanying Audit Paper setting out relevant key international instruments, national laws and guidelines relating to health information for Ireland and selected other countries is available on the Department of Health’s website at www.dohc.ie/issues/hib.The public consultation exercise will run until Thursday, 11 September 2008.

·          The Department of Health and Children is currently seeking responses in relation to cross-border access to health services. This Consultation on draft EU Directive on the application of patients rights to cross-border health-care. The consultation closes on August 15 2008.

The Northern Ireland Departments’ Consultation Register provides details on all consultations being undertaken by government departments and public sector bodies in the region.