Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the regional neurosurgery unit in the west; the reason it has taken so long for a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12502/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, I asked Comhairle na nOspidéal to carry out a review of neurosurgical services and to prepare a report for my consideration. Comhairle was asked to focus, in particular, on the provision of adequate capacity and consideration of equity of access to neurosurgical services having regard to best practice in the provision of quality healthcare. Comhairle established a committee to review neurosurgical services.

To date, the committee has reviewed the international literature and visited neurosurgery units at Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital where they met with consultant neurosurgeons and management representatives. The committee has also visited Galway to meet with consultant and management representatives of the Western Health Board and representatives of the Western Neurosurgery Campaign. The work of the committee on neurosurgical services is ongoing and plans are underway to visit neurosurgery units outside Ireland in the coming months. The committee is endeavouring to have a report prepared for consideration by Comhairle na nOspidéal by the end of the year. I do not intend to request an interim report.