Dáil debates
Tuesday, 15 February 2005
Adjournment Debate.
Health Services.
8:00 pm
Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The case I wish to raise concerns a young man from Tallaght. He was assaulted in Dublin's Temple Bar. Such an assault is probably a parent's greatest nightmare. The young man went into town for a drink and was assaulted and left for dead. If a tourist had not spotted him and put him into the recovery position, the young man would have died. He was in a coma for a considerable period. While he was in the coma his parents were unaware of where he was, which added to their worry. They eventually found him.
The family were told there would be a care plan for the young man, which would start with hospitalisation. When he came out of the coma he was violent, which I am told is quite common in such cases. He is still being treated in St. James's Hospital. The care plan was to start with hospitalisation and proceed to rehabilitation, speech therapy and going home, after which it was hoped he would return to work. Both of the young man's parents work and there are younger children in the family. During the time the young man was in a coma, the parents took time off work. It amounted to a considerable period. The young man was assaulted on 9 January and it is now 15 February.
The difficulty is that the next step in the young man's recovery is rehabilitation but the parents have been told there is an eight to ten week waiting list for rehabilitation. There is pressure from the hospital authorities on the parents to take the young man home. However, they believe they are unable to look after him. Although the nightmare is over to some extent, the parents are at their wits' end. They are under pressure to take the young man home and, indeed, they want to do so. In fact, they took him home last weekend for a couple of hours. He watched the match but when asked after the match what teams were playing he could not remember. He is clearly in need of more help. There is also difficulty getting the young man up and down the stairs in the family home to use the toilet and so forth.
If the young man remains in hospital, he will regress. He has progressed in leaps and bounds but the difficulty is with the rehabilitation process. There is nowhere for him to go for the next step of his recovery. I have written to the Minister for Health and Children, the health executive, the hospital and the rehabilitation hospital. I have received responses outlining all types of difficulties. However, the parents are seeking help. I told them I would raise the question in the House. The parents believe the system is failing them because the next step in treatment is not available for their child.
I hope the Minister will have good news for this family. I have described this situation as a nightmare but it is one that could happen to any family. The reply I received from the hospital stated that rehabilitation should be the next step. It also outlines the hospital's concern that the young man will regress if he is left in the acute hospital environment. It is clearly a difficult case and is something that could affect any family.
Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
I am replying on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I am pleased to take this opportunity to clarify the matter relating to the provision of rehabilitation for Mr. Alan McCarton.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for rehabilitation services.
The Department has made inquiries into this matter. The National Rehabilitation Hospital has confirmed that Mr. McCarton has been referred to it for assessment and it will endeavour to facilitate him as soon as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of admission to the hospital is a matter for the consultant concerned and is determined solely on the basis of medical priority.
It is recognised that the health funded services in the disability services sector have advanced greatly over the last number of years. It is also acknowledged, however, that further work is required in the coming years. In December 2004, the Government was in a position to announce on budget day a special disability multi-annual funding package with a total value of close to â¬900 million over the years 2006 to 2009. This funding is being dedicated now for the period until 2009 to ensure the delivery of these high priority disability services. This package includes guaranteed additional current spending of almost â¬600 million. The Government has also agreed to allocate â¬300 million out of the revised capital envelope to these high priority disability services.
The bulk of the new funding package will go to the health sector where it will be invested in services for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism, services for persons with physical or sensory disabilities and mental health services. It will focus, in particular, on the provision of extra residential, respite and day places, extra home support and personal assistance and extra places in community based mental health facilities.