Denis Naughten
Question:260 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to recruit additional neurological consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18832/01]
Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.
Denis Naughten
Question:261 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the limited number of neurological consultants here neurological ser vices are severely restricted; if he intends to appoint nurse specialists in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18833/01]
Denis Naughten
Question:262 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve funding for the appointment of a neurological nurse specialist to assist with patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease and other movement disorders at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18834/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 to 262, inclusive, together.
Last year the Irish Consultant Neurologists Association submitted a report to my Department which identified a need to increase the number of consultant neurologists in this country to meet an increasing demand from people presenting with neurological disorders. The report considered the need for further expansion nationwide, as the nature of neurological practice is changing with new therapies for many disorders becoming available.
Comhairle na nOspidéal is the statutory body whose main function is to regulate appointments of consultant medical staff in hospitals providing services under the health Acts and to specify qualifications for such appointments. It also advises on matters relating to the organisation and operation of hospital services and publishes reports relating to such services. Arising from a number of meetings with various interest groups I have requested Comhairle na nOspidéal to conduct a review of neurological services and related issues. The review, which is currently under way, has the following terms of reference: to examine the existing arrangements for the provision of consultant-level neurology and neurophysiology services nationally and following consultation with the interests concerned, to make recommendations to Comhairle na nOspidéal on the future organisation and development of neurology and neurophysiology services. The review will focus on updating the 1991 comhairle report taking into account recent advances in and increasing demand for neurological and neurophysiological services.
The need for additional investment in the neurological and neurosurgical service will be considered in the light of the review. I look forward to receiving an chomhairle's report in due course.
With regard to the appointment of neurological nurse specialists the commission on nursing recognised the need for a coherent approach to the progression of specialisation and the development of a clinical career pathway in nursing and midwifery. This function is vested in the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery.
The national council has issued clear guidelines to all health service providers concerning the process through which clinical nurse or midwife specialist posts should be developed and approved. It is working closely with the nursing and midwifery planning and development units, which have responsibility for the strategic planning of nursing and midwifery services in a health board area, to encourage the development of specialist posts based on identified service and patient need.