Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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576. To ask the Minister for Health the rehabilitation services available for stroke survivors; his plans for the recruitment of additional rehabilitation medicine consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE National Clinical Care Programmes provide a national, strategic and co-ordinated approach to a wide range of clinical services. In relation to the National Stroke Programme, the aim of the programme is to save lives, reduce average length of stay (AvLOS) in hospitals and reduce admission of stroke patients to nursing homes. One of the objectives of the National Stroke Programme was to establish additional stroke units. Stroke units are generally referred to as acute stroke units, rehabilitation stroke units or combined acute and rehabilitation stroke units. The acute, combined and rehabilitation stroke units located in acute hospitals operate on a 24/7 basis.

In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding rehabilitation services and medicine consultants I have forwarded the question to the HSE who will respond directly to you in this regard.