Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Liz McManus

Question:

534 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to instruct his Department to implement the review, in full, by Comhairle na nOspidéal of neurology; if so, the timeframe over which; his plans to honour his commitment to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland to nominate a task group through his Department to establish the costs and source funding for the infrastructure that will be required to develop the service; when the task force will be nominated; the terms of reference; his plans to act on the recommendation by the Comhairle for the establishment of a multidisciplinary national review of neuro-rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15446/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Arising from a number of meetings with various interest groups, I requested Comhairle na nOspidéal to conduct a review of neurological services and related issues. Comhairle established a committee to, inter alia, examine existing arrangements for the provision of consultant level neurology and neurophysiology services nationally and to make recommendations to Comhairle on the future organisation and development of those services.

The Comhairle report has recently been published and will now be examined by the health boards, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and my Department. The report recommends significant enhancement of neurology and neurophysiology services, and increases in related consultant staffing.

The question of additional investment in neurology and neurophysiology will be considered in the light of the Comhairle review, other competing priorities and the availability of adequate funding.

I also indicated to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland that I would facilitate the establishment of a group that would integrate the principles of their own standards of care documents with the Comhairle review and advise on the future development of neurological and neurophysiological services, consistent with the evolving policy framework in this area. The establishment of this group will be progressed in conjunction with the alliance, and in discussion with the ERHA and the health boards.