Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the membership of the National Rehabilitation Strategy Group established to oversee the development of rehabilitation services; the number of meetings held by this group; when it is due to deliver a report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35375/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive (HSE) decided to develop a National Policy/Strategy for the Provision of Rehabilitation Services. A Working Group was established in July 2008 to develop the policy/strategy.

The Working Group consists of key stakeholders and experts in the field of rehabilitation and is chaired by James O'Grady, Policy Advisor to the Office for Disability and Mental Health.

The Working Group's Terms of Reference include the development of an appropriate policy framework for rehabilitation and a preferred model of care for the provision of rehabilitation services. The Group will consider the rehabilitation needs of people with static and progressive neurological conditions, traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury and other physically disabling conditions who may benefit from medical, psychological and/or social rehabilitation service provision. The Group will also work with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and will undertake a public consultation process as part of its work. The range of expertise of the Group includes primary care, neurology, rheumatology, geriatrics, psychology, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and social work. Members have been chosen on the basis of their individual/professional knowledge and experience in the field of rehabilitation rather than their affiliation to a particular organisation.

The membership is as follows: Mr. James O'Grady (Chair); Dr. Philip Crowley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DoHC; Mr. Dermot Ryan, Office for Disability and Mental Health, DoHC; Ms. Fionnula Duffy, National Hospitals Office, HSE; Ms. Marion Meany, Primary, Continuing and Community Care, HSE; Dr. Marie Laffoy, Population Health, HSE; Dr. Aine Carroll, Consultant, National Rehabilitation Hospital; Dr. Hugh Monaghan, Consultant, National Rehabilitation Hospital; Mr. Michael Clavin, BRÍ; Ms. Barbara O'Connell, the Peter Bradley Foundation; Ms. Edel Callanan, Merlin Park Galway; Ms. Elaine Whelan, Speech and Language Therapy, HSE; Ms. Alma Joyce, Occupational Therapy, HSE; Dr. Salvatore Giangrasso, Headway; Ms. Anne O'Loughlin, Principal Social Worker, National Rehabilitation Hospital; Dr. John Latham, General Practitioner; Dr. Tim Counihan, Consultant Neurologist; Ms. Barbara Western, MS Ireland; Ms. Shona Lee, Advance Nurse Practitioner, Rheumatology and Prof. Rose-Ann Kenny, Consultant Geriatrician.

The Working Group has met on two occasions and it is proposed to complete its work in the first half of 2009.