Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his plans to provide adequate resources for stroke patients; if there is provision of a stroke unit for Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6930/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The report on Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019 recommended that stroke services be reconfigured into stroke networks, with a number of hospitals working together to provide the comprehensive range of services needed for optimal stroke care and working closely with community services. The HSE has appointed two lead clinicians within the Directorate of Quality and Clinical Care to direct the implementation of the recommendations in so far as stroke is concerned. Discussions are taking place at local and regional level to further improve access and quality of stroke services for patients. In relation to services for stroke patients in Dún Laoghaire, there are stroke rehabilitation units in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook and St. Colmcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown which cater for some patients from the Dún Laoghaire area. Discussions are under way in the HSE to determine how the service for acute stroke patients in St. Vincent's Hospital could be improved further. The numbers of stroke patients attending St. Michael's Hospital in Dún Laoghaire are too small to justify establishment of a dedicated unit there.