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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 5

Written Answers. - Neurological Services.

Billy Timmins

Question:

107 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made on the implementation of the Comhairle na nOspidéal report on neurology. [27416/03]

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. The comhairle established a committee to examine, inter alia, existing arrangements for the provision of consultant-level neurology and neurophysiology services nationally. The committee will make recommendations on the future organisation and development of those services. The comhairle has published its report. Having considered it, I am happy to endorse its recommendations. The report recommends significant enhancement of neurology and neurophysiology services, including increases in consultant manpower. The report recognises that aspects of a number of other specialties and services, such as rehabilitation medicine, geriatric medicine and old age psychiatry, are related to and overlap with neurology services. The comhairle has recommended that a national multi-disciplinary review of rehabilitation services be undertaken to further inform the policy framework in respect of the development of neurology services.

A national action plan for rehabilitation services is being prepared by my Department in line with this recommendation and the commitments in the national health strategy. The action plan will set out a programme to meet existing shortfalls in services and to integrate specialised facilities with locally based follow-up services. The rehabilitation action plan, the comhairle report and the work undertaken by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland through its publications will offer a comprehensive policy framework for the future development of neurology and neurophysiology services in this country. My Department will continue to work closely with the alliance and the Irish Consultant Neurologists' Association on the future development of services. The implementation of the comhairle recommendations will be progressed having regard to the evolving policy framework in this area and in the context of competing funding priorities.

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