Seanad debates
Tuesday, 16 April 2019
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Health Services Staff Recruitment
2:30 pm
Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath.
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach. The Minister of State is very welcome. I rise today to ask about the recruitment of a specialist MS nurse for the mid-west region. In a report that was commissioned, it was recommended that three to four nurses were necessary for the region but at the moment we have none and one would be a bonus. When I last raised the issue, I was told, as were the people involved in the MS society, that someone would be in place in the second quarter of 2019, but as of yet there has been no advertisement for the position, and there seems to be no movement in filling the position. A recruitment ban was announced recently by the Minister, and people are very afraid that this position will not be filled. Perhaps the Minister of State will give an update on the situation. People who suffer from MS have to go to Cork and different places around the country to access the services of a specialised nurse, so if there were one in the region, it would be of great benefit to them.
Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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.
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the fact that it is at last being advertised. Twelve months ago I was told it was going to be advertised. That is why I raised the matter again today but I am glad that it will be advertised by May. It will be disappointing for some people that it will be quarter 3 before somebody comes in but now they know that it is a priority for the university hospital and it is recognised that a nurse has to be put in place. Perhaps it is time that I started lobbying for a second one because it has taken so long to fill the post. I know it is not the Minister of State's fault but it is disappointing that it has taken so long for the recruitment process to happen.
Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The bottom line is that it is a priority and it will be delivered and it is being advertised in May. The UL hospital group has recognised the need for recruitment of a clinical nurse specialist in neurology and funding has been provided for the post. I am confident that the new clinical nurse specialist post will help improve and enhance the care provided to neurology patients and their families. It is a priority for me. I will give this my utmost support because I am a strong supporter of this clinical nurse specialist service. It will be developed, not just in the mid-west but it will be rolled out nationally. The post is being advertised and it will be delivered shortly.