Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010
158 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the Health Service Executive revision of rehabilitation services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22207/10]
View answer159 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children her views regarding the review of rehabilitation services as it affects the provision of prosthetics and orthotics; if her attention has been drawn to the concern that proposed changes could adversely affect the provision of these services here, including the loss of skilled prosthetist or orthotist jobs, loss of choice for patients and a monopoly for a British-based prosthetic orthotic firm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22208/10]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
I regret that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive, it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course. However, both my Department and the Health Service Executive are concerned to ensure that rehabilitation services and the structure of same are the most efficient and appropriate. This led to the setting up of a working group to develop a National Strategy for the Provision of Rehabilitation Services. The group is expected to report shortly.
