Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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That is part of the problem. Obviously the management of chronic disease links with chronic pain and chronic pain management. It is quite astounding that medical personnel would not be consulted about that decision that has affected so many people. I refer to how "patient-centred" care means the patient being the centre of all decision making and how person-centred co-ordinated care provides one with the services one needs when and where one needs them. It is based on a full understanding of one's life and world, combined with the information and support one needs. It demonstrates respect for one's preferences, building care around one and those involved in one's care. That is wonderful statement and is what we want to achieve but I cannot reconcile that with the withdrawal of Versatis without giving a clinical plan to the GPs, thereby undermining the GP-consultant-patient relationship and just leaving people in abeyance. When decisions like that are made, it serves to undermine what the witnesses are saying to us about other areas. I ask the witnesses to do anything within their gift to request a review of the decision on Versatis, so that medical personnel listen to the people who are telling them about the impact that the withdrawal of Versatis medicated plasters has had on them.