Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. As Deputy O'Sullivan stated, she and I lobbied for years while we were on the former Mid-Western Health Board for the provision of neurology services in the mid west.

As part of the Estimates for the health services in 2006, additional funding of €3 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive specifically for the further development of neurology and neurophysiology services nationally. This funding was provided to allow the Health Service Executive to further progress the implementation of the recommendations made by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal in respect of these services. The Comhairle report of the committee to review neurology and neurophysiology services recommended significant enhancement of services, including the appointment of additional consultants. While reaching the full complement of consultant posts as recommended will take some time, major improvements in patient care can be achieved in the short term through a combination of additional consultant posts and the appointment of a number of clinical nurse specialists and allied health professionals.

A priority objective for the National Hospitals Office is to progress the implementation of the Comhairle report to address immediate service needs and to improve equity of access in the regions. This Department has been advised by the Health Service Executive that the development of three new neurology units will commence during 2006, one in the mid west, one in the north west and one in the south east, with the appointment of multidisciplinary teams comprising consultant neurologists and support staff.

The mid-western regional hospital has the services of a visiting consultant neurologist two days per month. The consultant provides an out-patient service for review or return patients and an inpatient consultation service. Due to pressure on the existing service, new patient referrals are forwarded to the neurological services at Cork, Galway or Dublin. ln view of the pressures, the development of neurology services at the mid-western regional hospital is an urgent priority for the Health Service Executive in 2006.

This Government is committed to the continued development of neurology services nationally. Resources have been made available to commence neurology services in Limerick and I am confident that the Health Service Executive will succeed in its objective to deliver these important services in 2006.

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