Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before we conclude I shall ask about the deficiency in the number of neurologists. Has progress been made with the development of community clinical nurse specialists in terms of Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and all the other neurological conditions that require community services? If one cannot see one's neurologist or there is not a sufficient complement of neurologists then surely community nurse specialists in those disciplines would be of great benefit to people. The initiative would reduce pressure on hospital-based services and increase the involvement of nurse specialists in delivering services in communities. The witnesses can answer the questions in whatever order they like as long as they answer them all in the next ten minutes.