Bernard Allen
Question:121 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for the development of the national disease surveillance unit. [23816/99]
Written Answers. - Disease Surveillance Unit.
Disease surveillance units are long established in many countries and have demonstrated the importance of analysis of national disease patterns for the development of strategies to control communicable diseases.
The national disease surveillance centre was established in October 1998. Initially, it will be responsible for the surveillance of communicable diseases, such as meningitis, tuberculosis and foodborne diseases such as salmonella and e.coli O157. Its functions include collaboration with and supporting the health boards in the control of infectious disease, the development of guidelines and protocols and undertaking research.
The centre will also collaborate closely with other units and agencies in the country such as my Department, hospital consultant microbiologists and consultants in infectious diseases, environmental health officers, veterinarians and the Food Safety Authority. It will also establish links with national disease surveillance bodies in other countries to ensure the exchange of latest knowledge and research outcomes.
The funding allocated to the centre will be increased substantially in the coming year to enable its activities to be expanded. Ten staff have been recruited to date and it is planned that further specialist medical, scientific, IT and clerical staff will be appointed in 2000.
The centre has been established on a non-statutory basis initially under the auspices of the Eastern Health Board. I anticipate bringing forward proposals in the course of next year for the establishment of the centre on a statutory basis.