Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
784. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health his plans for dedicated Huntington's disease clinics, staffing and funding; if his attention has been drawn to the inappropriate placing of younger persons with neurological conditions in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHuntington's Disease is an inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain and can cause a range of symptoms. This disease has a broad impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking (cognitive) and psychiatric disorders. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and signs in an individual with a parent with proven Huntington's Disease and is confirmed by confirmation of the presence of the Huntington's Disease gene. There is no cure. Management is multi-disciplinary and is based on treating symptoms with a view to improving quality of life.
General medical services are provided by GPs. If the patients clinical condition warrants a referral to a Consultant then their GP will organise that for them. A patient's Local Health Office is the entry point to access wider community health and personal social services. In addition to GP services these also include public health nursing, community welfare, speech therapy, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody, psychiatric services and home help. The Department of Health also supports a non-condition specific approach to the delivery of health and personal social services to people with a disability. The overarching principle governing the planning and delivery of health services and supports for adults and children with disabilities, is that they should be integrated as much as possible with services and supports for the rest of the population. The Government’s policy in this regard is set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) which was published by the Department of Justice and Equality in July 2017.
This question also concerns service matters and as such it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
