Vol. 521 No. 4
137 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to further develop neurological services here; and if he has had any contact with the Irish Neurological Alliance; and if so, the progress which can be made in this area. [17063/00]
Clinical neurology is the national specialty concerned with diagnosis, treatment and the continuing assessment and care of patients with disease of the central and peripheral nervous system and the muscles. Most neurological conditions are chronic, requiring input of care across a vast range of health, social and other services.
Consultant neurologists treat many complex conditions including Alzheimer's disease; certain brain injuries; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; Huntington's disease, Friedreichs ataxia, cerebral palsy, stroke, epilepsy, migraine and many other neurological disorders.
These conditions have a wide-ranging, variable and complex set of physical and psycho-social problems requiring specialist expertise both for recognition and treatment. The needs span a wide range of services, including hospital and community-based health services, employment, legal and social services.
The Irish Consultant Neurologists Association has recently submitted a report to my Department which identifies the need to increase the number of consultant neurologists in this country to meet the ever increasing demands from people presenting with neurological disorders. The report explores the need for further expansion nationwide, as the nature of neurological practice is changing rapidly with new effective complex therapies for many disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease becoming available. The challenge is to develop an integrated, co-ordinated, and dependable health and social welfare system that is geared towards the particular needs of the individual.
I can assure the Deputy that every consideration will be given, within the context of the many competing demands and available resources, to providing a comprehensive strategic plan for neurological services in Ireland, including an increase in the number of neurologists and the development of a multi-disciplinary approach towards the management of patients with neurological disability that integrates the hospital and community based services and which recognise the importance of voluntary organisations.
The Irish Neurological Alliance is an umbrella organisation representing the collective goals of many individual neurological charities. The Irish Neurological Alliance has recently completed a report, the first of three I understand, which outlines the standards of care for those with disabling progressive and static neurological conditions. A further two reports will follow which will deal with standards of care for those with non-physical chronic disabling neurological conditions and those with disabling neurological conditions where cognitive decline is a major feature.
I will be meeting with a representative of the alliance today, 20 June 2000, to discuss this initial report and how services can be progressed on a national basis.
