Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Neurological Services.

Denis Naughten

Question:

640 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a report from Comhairle na nOspidéal on its review of the neurological services here; if so, the recommendations contained in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

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. Comhairle na nOspidéal has established a committee with 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 by an comhairle, other competing priorities, and the availability of adequate funding.

Denis Naughten

Question:

641 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the discussions he has had with the national council for the professional development of nursing and midwifery regarding the appointment of a neurological nurse specialist at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/01]

Denis Naughten

Question:

642 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the out-patients waiting list for the neurological services provided at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7; his views on whether the appointment of a neurological nurse specialist would improve the service provided at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22457/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together.

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 regional 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 needs. Part of the process set out in the national council's guidelines involves health service providers submitting plans for the development of clinical nurse or midwife specialist posts to the relevant nursing and midwifery planning and development unit for consideration. Accordingly any proposal by the Mater Misericordiae Hospital for the development of a neurological nurse specialist post should be submitted to the nursing and midwifery planning and development unit in the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

The national council is independent in the discharge of its statutory functions and I have had no discussions with it regarding individual proposals for the development of posts in specialist nursing practice.

My Department does not routinely collate data relating to out-patient waiting lists. However, as responsibility for the funding of services at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority I have asked the regional chief executive to investigate the issue and reply directly to the Deputy.