Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Senator O'Brien raised the issue of the epilepsy monitoring units in Beaumont and CUH in response to reports in the newspapers. The units are being developed under the HSE's national clinical care programme for epilepsy. Such monitoring is only required for the most difficult cases and the majority of patients have their care needs met through other epilepsy services, including newly established rapid access clinics in four centres, including Beaumont Hospital. The units in that hospital and in CUH, when opened, will increase pre-surgical evaluation capacity. Separately, the HSE has advised that the Beaumont Hospital and the executive are working jointly to fill the posts necessary to support the service development. In Cork, the service plan for 2013 is currently being drawn up and the HSE advises it will be finalised in the coming weeks. The provision of additional staff for that unit is being considered as part of the process.