Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to improve the situation for chronic pain sufferers here; the numbers and locations of pain specialists, pain clinics and pain management programmes here; her views on whether these services are adequate for the needs of the large number of people in pain; if she has figures of those experiencing chronic pain here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21333/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Patients requiring treatment for chronic pain are seen in a number of different settings. The majority of patients are treated on an out-patient basis at an acute hospital and return home after treatment. Where required, patients are also treated on a day-care or in-patient basis under a more intensive and structured treatment programme.

The HSE has advised that hospitals which provide this service include Beaumont, St. James's, the Mater, St. Vincent's, The Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital at Tallaght (AMNCH), Waterford Regional, St. Luke's Kilkenny, Cork University Hospital, Limerick Regional, University College Hospital, Galway and the Cavan/Monaghan Hospital Group. The HSE further advises that St. Vincent's Hospital is the only fully multi-integrated pain management service in Ireland and is a pioneering unit in the use of SENS (Subcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). The AMNCH also provides a dedicated Pain Management Programme. Pain Management, is also delivered in a Primary Care setting by General Practitioners and where necessary, supported by specialist services.

The HSE also advises that the need for further investment in Pain Management Services will be examined in the context of the 2007 Estimates.