Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of neurologists and improve neurological care services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15962/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Clinical Strategy and Programmes in the HSE has established three key national programmes in relation to neurological care which shows the HSE's commitment to improving access to neurological services and gives these services a major focus in the HSE.

The first programme deals with neurology out patient departments and aims to provide standardised care for neurology patients and to increase access so that patients will not wait more than 30 days for an appointment. The programme is due to establish referral guidelines and encourage the increased use of neurolink. The second programme deals with epilepsy services and aims to introduce rapid access clinics to assist with admission avoidance and reduce the number of attendances to emergency departments. The third programme deals with stroke services and aims to establish robust clinical governance systems for stroke care, including local stroke teams and regional stroke networks.

Furthermore, the HSE has emphasised to my Department that all national programmes, including those concentrating on neurology, will have a focus on patient advocacy. These inter-related programmes aim to improve service quality, effectiveness and patient access and to ensure that patient care is provided in the service setting most appropriate to individuals' needs. I believe that the clinical programmes being developed by the HSE are vital to ensuring the most appropriate organisation of acute services.

In addition the HSE's National Service Plan for 2011 includes a commitment to

· target people waiting for a neurology out-patient appointment,

· appoint a national clinical lead for neuro-rehabilitation,

· establish an implementation structure and develop an implementation plan for neuro-rehabilitation.

With regard to staffing, the HSE expects to recruit additional neurology and neurophysiology consultants, Epilepsy Nurse Specialists, Staff Nurses and additional neurophysiology technicians this year. In addition, extra staff, particularly in the area of allied health are being recruited to deliver stroke care.