David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 21 October 2008, when the national rehabilitation strategy group will hold the public consultation on the policy framework for rehabilitation and the provision of rehabilitation services; the average waiting time for accessing rehabilitation services provided in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; the number of people in acute hospital beds across the country who are awaiting admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and the length of time they have been waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42470/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Public contribution from individuals, organisations and professional bodies to the policy and strategy development process will be invited through the media in the coming month. Information regarding average waiting times for accessing rehabilitation services and the number of people in acute hospital beds around the country relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that the average waiting time for accessing rehabilitation services provided in the National Rehabilitation Hospital is 70 days. This figure relates to people discharged from inpatient services at the hospital during the first three quarters of 2008. The Health Service Executive also reports that there are currently 153 people on the waiting list for admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital. These are people who have been referred, assessed and deemed ready for admission by a consultant. The waiting list does not distinguish between patients referred from the acute hospital setting, home or nursing homes.