Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 210: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on a recent comment made by the director of stroke services in Tallaght Hospital that at least 400 lives could be saved every year by improving the delivery of stroke services; and the reason the proposals for a national rehabilitation centre to be located in Cork have been scrapped. [14192/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government believes that individuals at risk of stroke, or those who suffer from the consequences of stroke, should be provided with high quality preventative and treatment services. In September last year Minister Harney established a Cardiovascular Health Policy Group to advise on how to prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and stroke and improve services for individuals affected by these conditions. The recently published Irish Heart Foundation National Audit of Stroke Care, which was conducted with the support of my Department, has highlighted a number of areas where clinical care and the organisation of stroke services can be enhanced. The Cardiovascular Health Policy Group has, in the course of its work, considered the Audit and is expected to make recommendations in the summer.

The availability of stroke services and plans for development of rehabilitation services are matters which relate to the funding, management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.