Neuro-Rehabilitation Services

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

Questions (439, 440, 441)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost in a full year of providing 270 neuro-rehabilitation inpatient beds. [9572/18]

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440. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer in a full year of providing four regional inpatient specialist neuro-rehabilitation centres. [9573/18]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

441. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer in a full year of providing nine community neuro-rehabilitation teams. [9574/18]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 to 441, inclusive, together.

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to publish "a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community". The development of an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The HSE has established a National Steering Group to develop the implementation framework, comprising representatives from across the whole health system, including Heads of Social Care and the National Clinical Programme for Rehabilitation Medicine, Acute Hospital services, Mental Health, Primary Care and Health & Wellbeing, Health & Social Care Professionals and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.

The focus of the National Steering Group is to develop a framework which is implementable across the country. The Steering Group considers that a Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Network model represents best practice as a means of providing neuro-rehabilitation care and support/accommodation needs. The HSE’s Social Care Division and its Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress this.

The specific information sought by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the Deputy’s questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.