Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the mental health supports available for stroke victims; to provide an update on the implementation of the national stroke strategy from 2022 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48832/23]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister to provide an update on mental health supports for stroke victims and the national stroke strategy from 2022 to 2027.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the important question. As he will be aware, this year is the first time funding has been provided to support the implementation of the national stroke strategy. We launched it last year and last year's budget provided nearly €5 million for this year to roll out the new stroke strategy. The Deputy and various of our party colleagues have been advocating for neurorehabilitation nurses, including in the Deputy's constituency, for a long time. This year, we have seen the roll-out of a modest enough start - I understand there are 23 nurses across the country to begin with. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, secured additional funding in her budget to continue with the roll out and hiring of more neurorehabilitation nurses, which is important for next year.

It is worth saying that the HSE and healthcare professionals have made huge progress over the past ten years. The number of deaths from stroke have has reduced by a quarter, which is great to see. There has also been a reduction of one third in the amount of time patients have to stay in hospital, in terms of the average length of stay. We have seen improved survivorship rates.

The national strategy affects the needs of those affected by stroke with various interventions, including treatment, supporting recovery and mental health supports. Pillar 3 concerns rehabilitation and restoration of life. This recognises the need for psychological support as an important post-stroke intervention. As we have previously discussed, the feedback I and others get from our constituents is that while the hospital-based services have been getting better and better and many measures are moving in the right direction, many people felt they were at a loss once they were discharged into the community. One of the measures we are rolling out is neurorehabilitation teams. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is taking the lead on that.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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That is vitally important. One of the most common acquired disabilities in the country is stroke. I am heartened by the reduction in the number of deaths from stroke. I understand it could be the third largest cause of death in Ireland.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Second.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Second. That is fairly substantial. We also need to consider the supports being put in place for stroke victims. Through our work as public representatives, we know people are affected by strokes at quite a young age. We need to provide proper supports in communities. The Minister in his answer alluded to the fact that when people are discharged to the community after a significant amount of time in rehabilitation in hospital settings, their lives have been completely changed. To achieve the best possible outcomes, they need mental health supports. It is a catastrophic change in people's lives. What specific mental health supports have been put in place?

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. A few important things are happening. In terms of prevention, we have a successful chronic disease management programme with GPs across the country. We have added hypertension to that, which will make a big difference in terms of community support. GPs have mental and physical health capabilities; they are not specified mental health professionals but we know they provide an awful lot of support and psychological support to their patients.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has led a significant roll-out of mental health services. As she has said many times, we focus on CAMHS waiting lists, as we must, but adult access to mental health services is in a much better place. As we discussed, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is continuing the essential roll-out of the neurorehabilitation nurses in the community to provide the supports the Deputy has said we need. I fully agree with him.