Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their attendance. I agree with the comments of Deputy O'Connell. As someone who works on the ground, I often wonder whether the figure of 5,000 is accurate because people may under-report or diminish their symptoms. I know of certain patients who are almost afraid to say they have had a seizure because their livelihood may depend on driving or working with farm machinery, etc., especially in a rural setting.

There is significant disjointed thinking when it comes to this sector, particularly in the funding model and primary care services. I have repeatedly stated it is not really about the primary care building but about the activity that happens within it and the connectedness of primary care, the GP, neurology services and voluntary bodies such as those of the delegates. The services provided by the delegates' organisations are not valued to the degree they ought to be. From a neurology point of view, they are nearly treated as add-on services. My doctor colleagues will give out to me for saying this, but sometimes one must say what one thinks. The organisations do not carry the weight they deserve to carry and that upsets me. One may sometimes perceive passiveness in the medical profession about the services they provide and that upsets me. Doctors and the medical profession need to do more to value the role played by the organisations on a day-to-day basis for people who suffer from epilepsy.

As Dr. McCarthy stated, there is a tapestry of opportunities. She hit the nail on the head in that respect. The only way we will achieve things is by speaking about the role played by the organisations with positivity and engaging. There is significant disjointed thinking when it comes to health. Everyone seems to work in his or her own little box, including GPs such as me, the epilepsy nurse I contact occasionally in UCHG, the organisations represented today and neurologists. We need to break down the barriers and concentrate less on the infrastructure of primary care services. The delegates' organisations need to be funded through a proper funding model and there should be more communication. We used to have many primary care meetings in the community some years ago, but they are no longer held. It would be of benefit for the delegates to present more frequently to bring their message home to clinicians in the community.