Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2004
43 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 27 January 2004, he has sanctioned the appointment of additional consultant neurologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15438/04]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Comhairle na nOspidéal report on neurology and neurophysiology services recommended significant enhancement of neurology and neurophysiology services, including increases in consultant manpower. The report also recognises that there are aspects of a number of other specialities and services, such as rehabilitation medicine, geriatric medicine and old age psychiatry, which are related to and overlap with neurology services. Comhairle na nOspidéal has recommended that a national multi-disciplinary review of rehabilitation services be undertaken to inform further the policy framework on the development of neurology services.
Consistent with this recommendation, and in line with commitments in the national health strategy, a national action plan for rehabilitation services is currently being prepared by my Department. 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, together with the Comhairle na nOspidéal report and the work undertaken by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland through its own publications will, in my view, 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 with the Irish Consultant Neurologists' Association on the future development of services. The implementation of the Comhairle na nOspidéal recommendations will be progressed having regard to the evolving policy framework in this area, competing funding priorities and the report of the national task force on medical staffing.
