Vol. 485 No. 3
205 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the expertise currently available for the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorder in adults in the Mid-Western Health Board area; the procedure in this regard; and the cost to sufferers. [23411/97]
The Mid-Western Health Board currently employs 11 consultant psychiatrists all of whom possess the necessary expertise and skills to diagnose and treat attention deficit disorder in adults. Attention deficit disorder is a rare presentation in adulthood and generally presents before adulthood is reached. General practitioners may refer persons with attention deficit disorder to consultant psychiatrist led mental health services at local level for care and any necessary treatment. Other than the normal statutory charges for in-patient care, there are no additional charges to non-medical card holders who use public secondary care health facilities. No charges are made in respect of public patients who are medical card holders.
