Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
458. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide support services for persons in the west of Ireland affected by acquired brain injury (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23160/17]
View answerThe Health Service Executive's (HSE's) National Service Plan for 2017 contains a priority to finalise and progress implementation of the framework for the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy. Full implementation of the Strategy will, of necessity, be a longer term project. The Department of Health has agreed with the HSE that the focus initially will be on implementation in the community, which is in keeping with the Programme for Government commitment.
The HSE has committed to undertake a mapping and gap identification exercise for the country as a whole in order to establish a clear picture of where specialist rehabilitation services are currently being delivered and where the demands are for these services. The HSE's Social Care Division and the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme will work together to form an action plan, under the HSE's Clinical Strategy and Programme Division. A National Steering Group made up of stakeholders representing all interested parties will be responsible for the governance and implementation of the action plan.
Moving forward, it is acknowledged that further investment in rehabilitation services at acute hospital, post-acute and community level is required to meet the ongoing needs of clients all across the country.
As the Deputy's question regarding support services in the West of Ireland for people with acquired brain injury relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a direct reply to the Deputy.
