Vol. 532 No. 4
316 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children about the neurology service available in the Mid-Western Health Board area at consultancy level; if there are proposals to appoint a neurologist; when such a proposal was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7482/01]
I understand from the Mid-Western Health Board that the board has a long-established link with the Neuroscience Centre, University College Hospital Cork, for the provision of neurological services on a sessional basis.
From a national perspective, I have asked Comhairle na nOspidéal to initiate a review of neurology services which will focus on updating their 1991 report into neurology services, taking into account the following: various papers published since the 1991 Comhairle na nOspidéal review on the development of neurology services; recent advances in the provision of services; and an increasing demand for a structured approach to post-operative care and rehabilitation. The review will assist me in relation to decisions on the positioning of neurology in the expansion of acute hospital services and a potentially significant expansion in the numbers of consultant posts.
