Vol. 572 No. 1
164 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of palliative care nurses employed by the East Coast Area Health Board; the location of each; the area of responsibility of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22593/03]
I have made inquiries with the chief executive officer of the East Coast Area Health Board and he has advised me of the following.
The number of palliative care nurses employed by the East Coast Area Health Board is as follows: four complement; two presently employed; one vacancy advertised, one approved but not yet advertised.
These positions are located in community care area 10. Community care areas 1 and 2 are covered by Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross.
Community care area 10 is based in Wentworth Place, Wicklow, and its remit encompasses north and south-east Wicklow.
The responsibility of a specialist palliative care nurse is to assess the palliative care needs of clients and implement planned care in conjunction with the public health nurse and general practitioner. They are also involved in the provision of specialist care, advice and support for people in the advanced stage of disease. Their duties further include the monitoring of pain and other distressing symptoms in consultation with medical staff in the hospital and the general practitioner. In addition, they provide counselling, advice and appropriate support to the terminally ill and their families.
165 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a palliative care nurse based in south Wicklow; if not, when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22594/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the responsibility for the provision of health services in the Wicklow area rests with the East Coast Area Health Board under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department raised the matter with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which has advised that there are currently two palliative care nurses based in Wentworth Place, Wicklow, covering north and south-east Wicklow, together with an additional vacant post, which has recently been advertised.
