Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for raising this very important issue. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, and to provide an update on progress made on the proposal to recruit a clinical nurse specialist in neurology at University Hospital Limerick, UHL. I am advised that the UL Hospitals Group recognises the need for a clinical nurse specialist in neurology and it has been deemed a priority post for the hospital group. In that regard, I am pleased to inform the House that the UL Hospitals Group has made the funding available for this post, and it is anticipated that the post will be filled by the third quarter of this year. The UL Hospitals Group is engaging with the HSE recruitment service in relation to this post. I have also been informed that the recruitment campaign for the clinical nurse specialist post in neurology is progressing, and I have been advised by the UL Hospitals Group that the advertisement for this position is pending. It is envisioned that the post will be advertised in May 2019 and filled by the third quarter of this year.

The national clinical programme for neurology has developed and published a model of care for neurology services. This model of care provides a framework for neurology services to be delivered with an integrated service approach, which is in line with international best practice. Implementation of the new model of care will see an increase in the number of consultant neurologists and nurse specialists, including clinical nurse specialists, in neurology and other healthcare professions, and this will address waiting times.The new model of care will see an increase in the number of consultant neurologists, nurse specialists, including clinical nurse specialists in neurology and other healthcare professionals and this will address waiting times. The purpose of the clinical nurse specialist post is to improve and enhance the care of patients and their families by developing services, and to assist overall in optimising quality and continuity of care. The clinical nurse specialist is required to work as a key member of the multidisciplinary team in the hospital providing physical, psychological and emotional support to neurology patients and their families. They act as a liaison between community services, primary care teams and other agencies. The national clinical programme for neurology proposes implementation of the new model of care over a period of five years. This will significantly improve access for all neurology patients in the mid-west. The implementation of the new model of care is a work in progress. I can confirm that the University Limerick hospital group has recognised the need for this specialist nursing post and is treating the recruitment for this post as a priority.

In addition, looking to the future, the national clinical programme for neurology has developed a new model of care for neurology, the implementation of which will improve service provision incrementally over the next few years not only in the mid-west but nationally.