Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if SOUND the organization that represents sufferers of the unique narcolepsy disorder will have an input to any committee which plans for the future care of their members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23480/13]
View answer270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether access to international expertise should be made available to SOUND, the organisation that represents Sufferers Of the Unique Narcolepsy Disorder and his Department and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23533/13]
View answer272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on whether sufferers from Narcolepsy should have access to new drug treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23538/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 270 and 272 together.
My priority in this area, is to ensure that those affected by narcolepsy, with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with a range of services and supports to meet their health needs. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for health service delivery and at my request the HSE developed a range of appropriate services and supports to address the needs of this group. Together, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills provide a very comprehensive range of services to those affected.
Multi-disciplinary assessments are ongoing, all care plans are individualised, based on clinical assessment, assessment by allied health care professionals and educational assessment. This includes input from international expert sleep consultants based in Ireland and any drug therapies as clinically recommended in the individual case. The Health Service Executive advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND.
Treatments and individual medical needs for those diagnosed with narcolepsy may change over time. Every possible effort is being made to provide ongoing individualised treatments, supports and services to those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination.
