Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I attended a presentation by Brí on 12 March here in Leinster House and that presentation gave me a great insight into the needs of people who suffer brain injury. While most people assume that strokes and traumatic brain injuries are the main cause of acquired brain injury, I learned there are many other causes. We must always strive to promote full recovery and allow people, if at all possible, to return to full community life. The March 2008 Brí newsletter points out some stark facts, one of which is that three quarters of the victims of traumatic brain injury are children and young adults. That is a major trauma facing those patients but also those nearest and dearest to them.

In recognition of the need to develop neurology and neurophysiology services, additional revenue funding of €3 million was allocated to the Health Service Executive in 2006. In 2007, further additional revenue funding of €4 million was allocated to support the continuing development of services in the area of neurosciences. The HSE has advised the Department of Health and Children that there has been an increase in the number of consultant neurology posts arising from this investment. In the area of neurology there are currently 24 approved posts of consultant neurologist in Ireland, of which 19 are filled. These are strong and positive measures which must be furthered and enhanced. I reiterate the sentiments of some of my colleagues who said we have a lot done but we have more to do.

A new national rehabilitation hospital, under the national development plan, is in the planning stages. When built, the new hospital will provide additional treatment and diagnostic capacity. The aim is for a completion date of 2012. All patients will agree that when they are admitted to these centres, the treatment and the service they get is excellent. The difficulty is getting into them. The HSE has also stated that plans have been prepared to develop a satellite unit of the National Rehabilitation Hospital attached to Beaumont Hospital, linking the rehabilitation expertise of the NRH with the neurological services in Beaumont. That is to be welcomed.

This neurology debate is crucial but likewise we must raise and examine other issues. For example, the HSE interim report earlier this week reflects the plan for a further removal of acute services from my own hospital in Monaghan and the north east generally. We in Monaghan were promised that no services would be removed until safer and better alternatives were put in place. We have a situation where seriously ill patients who need to be ventilated can no longer stay in the hospital but must be transferred to Cavan or any other available hospital. The HSE says patients can be stabilised in Monaghan but must be sent on afterwards when a bed is available. That is just another step in the removal of services. Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda are already stretched to near breaking point before any patients from Monaghan are sent there and sending more could lead to fatalities.

In a speech to this House on 6 February I called for an audit of the HSE. To reiterate the central thesis of my speech that night, we need a wholescale audit of the organisation from top to bottom — financially, managerially and at human resource level. We must identify the black holes that appear to be swallowing up millions of euro, which must be prioritised for frontline services. In this debate we are talking about people with acquired brain injury. I suggest we start here. Savings must be made but they must not affect frontline services. This audit would ensure that money was directed to the patients to allow them receive the top quality care they deserve.

We must always strive to help those people suffering from traumatic injuries of types such as this. As a matter of urgency, I call on the Minister to expedite the process for the new rehabilitation hospital, continue the increase in funding for neurology services and always strive to ensure that the patient is the central focus for all her work.

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