Medical Conditions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2015

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Questions (67)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

67. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health in view of his positive reasoned response to the report prepared by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on the benefits of an all-island approach to deep brain stimulation, his plans regarding the appointment of a deep brain stimulation specialist nurse to co-ordinate and manage patient support before and after the procedure, and a similar appointment required north of the Border; his plans to provide for and instruct the Health Service Executive to proceed with such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In responding to the Report on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which was compiled earlier this year by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, I indicated my support for an all-island approach to the provision of this treatment and committed to progressing this matter in talks with my counterpart in Northern Ireland. The North/South Ministerial Council deals with a variety of cross border health initiatives and the provision of DBS on an all-island basis will be considered in that forum.

At an operational and clinical level the HSE is willing to recommend and facilitate referral of suitable patients to the Belfast centre, given the stated advantages identified in the Oireachtas Joint Committee report, as well as keeping further DBS-related service developments under review. Specific recommendations by the Committee in respect of specialist nursing posts to coordinate and manage patient support before and after treatment have been noted by the HSE for consideration. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.