Vol. 431 No. 8
73 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the level of medical care available for those who have suffered traumatic head injuries; the reason the national brain surgery centre at Beaumont Hospital has no public neuropsychologist; if he has any plans to improve after care support services for the head-injured and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am satisfied with the level of acute hospital services available for patients with traumatic head injuries. In relation to rehabilitation and after-care support, the Review Group on Physical and Sensory Disability, which was established in July, 1992, will be considering the long term rehabilitation needs of brain-injured people. Sixteen members were appointed to the Review Group, made up of representatives of the Department of Health, the Department of Education and representatives of various voluntary and statutory bodies dealing with people with physical or sensory disabilities. It is expected that the final report of the Review Group will be available in the Spring of 1994.
In relation to the question of neuropsychological services at Beaumont Hospital, the position is that the epilepsy programme at Beaumont Hospital has, over the past number of years, been funded in part by the Richmond Brain Research Foundation. This research programme includes the provision of a neuropsychological service which was funded by the Foundation. However, the Foundation has now indicated that it is unable to continue to provide funding towards the cost of the programme. My Department and Beaumont Hospital are involved in ongoing discussions regarding the arrangements for the future funding of the programme, with particular reference to the hospital's 1993 allocation, the many competing demands for resources and its priorities for new developments.
