Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. Children suffering from juvenile arthritis are entitled to a quality health service, something that they do not have at the moment. These children and their families are demanding that funding for a third rheumatologist and a multidisciplinary team be included in the 2018 HSE national service plan.

Some 70% of children presenting with this disease are from outside Dublin. Therefore, we obviously need an integrated national and regional service along the lines of the European hub-and-spoke model, Crumlin hospital being the hub with links to regional centres providing ophthalmology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services etc. Two clinical nurse specialists are required to co-ordinate and manage the transition of teenagers to the regional adult services. These measures are required urgently and I look forward to the Minister for Health ensuring that the services in question, particularly the third rheumatologist and the multidisciplinary team, are included and funded in the 2018 HSE national service plan.

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