Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Keating for raising the issue. I assume he understands that I will not be referring to any individual case other than to express our sympathy to the family of the person he mentioned. It was quite a tragic case. I hope that is accepted.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the current position in relation to the provision of rehabilitative services to persons with acquired brain injury in Ireland. Brain injury health services are provided across a range of settings, by different organisations and by many health professionals and carers. The HSE clinical strategy and programmes directorate has a number of clinical programmes that are working in the area of the brain, including neurology, epilepsy, stroke and rehabilitation medicine. These programmes are focused on reducing waiting times and addressing specific disease pathways and models of care with a view to developing a national framework for the management of long-term neurological conditions. The HSE also provides services through primary care teams with community-based therapy services and personal social services, often funded through partner agencies in the non-statutory sector. The Government's national policy and strategy for the provision of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland provides the overarching framework for the development and provision of such services. The strategy made a number of recommendations for services for persons with neuro-rehabilitation needs that covered different types of provision, including clinical, therapeutic, social, vocational and community supports. The HSE has established a steering group which will guide the implementation of the strategy with the development of a framework for implementation and ensure adequate links with the national clinical programme for rehabilitation medicine.

An implementation framework for the strategy is being developed by both the HSE disability services division and the HSE clinical programme for rehabilitation medicine. It will be circulated to a wider group of stakeholders for consultation. The development of this framework is the first phase of the implementation planning process. It will establish implementation structures, develop a model of services and supports, map existing resources and review and reconfigure existing services. In addition, the framework will identify requirements to support service delivery, such as information systems, staffing competencies and quality improvement. Communication with stakeholders will take place during the implementation process. A priority will be to establish an implementation structure in order to guide the development of services. Services will need to be determined and informed by clear referral and service protocols which are developed nationally and implemented consistently throughout the health care system.

The strategy proposes a hub-and-spoke arrangement between the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire and a network of regional rehabilitation units. Plans to invest in and redevelop the National Rehabilitation Hospital are well under way, and I hope that this will give us greater scope and greater availability of beds. I also understand that a number of proposed developments at regional level are at early design stage. The HSE also provides substantial funding to a number of organisations, such as Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Headway Ireland, Enable Ireland and Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, to provide supports and services to persons with neurological conditions. It is important that the continuum of services and supports required are made available by the health system and by those other State agencies to provide specific services consistent with their statutory remit. Waiting times, access, treatment and quality of care continue to be priorities for reform for this Government, despite budgetary constraints. The Government recognises that neurological illness or injury has significant implications for the individual and his or her family and impacts on the individual's health and social, educational, vocational and recreational participation.

I hope this is of some benefit to the Deputy. The further development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire will give us greater scope for delivery of these services.

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