Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Questions (141, 142, 143, 144)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

141. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the findings of the Irish Heart Foundation report Towards Earlier Discharge, Better Outcomes, Lower Cost: Stroke Rehabilitation in Ireland compiled by the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland; his further views that more than 3,000 stroke survivors every year could benefit from early supported discharge programmes that would yield net savings of up to €7 million per annum to the health service; the action he will take to deliver improved community stroke rehabilitation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38490/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

142. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the findings of the Irish Heart Foundation report, if he will ensure specific plans are put in place to tackle significant regional variations in stroke services such as access to physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, length of hospital stay, availability of nursing home places, community rehabilitation staffing and the intensity of therapy available in different locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38491/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that any delay in developing community stroke rehabilitation services in view of the findings of the Irish Heart Foundation report would represent an avoidable and unnecessary failure to enable many stroke survivors to make the best possible recovery by addressing service deficits resulting in one in three discharged stroke patients here having no access to physiotherapy, half with no speech and language therapy or occupational therapy and just 11% having access to psychological services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38492/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

144. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on the recommendations of the Irish Heart Foundation report regarding patients with severe stroke, in particular that capacity and staffing should be expanded for specialist inpatient rehabilitation; his further views that the numbers of nursing home places should be increased, especially in areas where there are long delays in hospital discharge due to difficulties in accessing nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38493/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 144, inclusive, together.

I am aware of the findings of The Irish Heart Foundation Report "Towards Earlier Discharge, Better Outcomes, Lower Cost: Stroke Rehabilitation in Ireland," and am asking that the HSE provide a further response to the Deputy in relation to the specific recommendations contained therein.