Mr. Pat O'Rourke:

I will not repeat answers to questions. From a patient's perspective, the key message we would hope to convey today, particularly with Ms Tufts, is what I would describe as home and away. It is challenging for the patient if there are technical difficulties and this is compounded if they have to travel abroad to get treatment as well as the fact that there is a procedure relating to the treatment abroad scheme. This is an added challenge.

The other area I would like to expand concerns volunteerism. Any organisation advocating on behalf of its members looks to see about getting Government support in the Departments and association, both North and South. We must bridge the gap on the basis of nurse specialists. There are a number of areas that we, as an organisation that collects donations from the public, co-fund because we see the need. While it would be fine if we could wait for Government support, what happens in the intervening period if the patients need it today? As a result, we have also provided training for nurse specialists in order that they are in a position to do that. The key driving force in respect of deep brain stimulation is that anybody who sees it can see the huge benefits and the improvement in the quality of life. It is frustrating when one sees that it is possible to do it. Of all the analyses and presentations, an all-Ireland approach is the best way because more people will benefit on the basis of cost. A question was asked whether we could do it in the Republic of Ireland alone. Yes, we would have done so but when one brings the two together, one has scale, the economics and a centre of excellence from which everybody will benefit.