Stroke Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Ceisteanna (1364)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

1364. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund a properly resourced stroke register along with a rolling audit cycle incorporating acute, rehabilitation and community services every three years to ensure that service deficits are identified and addressed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the stroke register receives no dedicated funding and operates in only two thirds of hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28097/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Stroke Audit (2016) acknowledged that the care of people with stroke in Ireland has improved since the HSE established its National Clinical Programme for Stroke in 2010. Stroke deaths have reduced by more than 15%, less stroke patients are discharged to nursing homes and more directly to home. More stroke units have opened since the commencement of the programme and emergency thrombolysis rates are amongst the best in Europe. Funding for developments are considered annually by the HSE for submission to the Department as part of the service planning process. The HSE has advised my Department that no funding request was made for the Stroke register in 2017 and that a request for dedicated funding for the Stroke Register will be considered as part of the Estimates process for 2018.

Question No. 1365 answered with Question No. 1352.