Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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247. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking with his Department to reduce the waiting period for patients seeking a neurology appointment here which is reportedly in the region of one year at present; and if he will be bringing forward an implementation plan for the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015 published in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31190/13]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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255. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he has taken to address the long waiting lists for neurology appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31284/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 255 together.

The Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have developed and published the “National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015”. In addition, the HSE is developing its Rehabilitation Medicine Programme within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The Report is the overarching policy on neuro-rehabilitation services and includes proposals for a framework for the future of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland. The aim of neuro-rehabilitation is to enable the person to achieve the highest possible level of independence. Desired outcomes range from a return to full independence in social and work situations to a person requiring long-term support and care but with a higher level of independence than in the absence of neuro-rehabilitation. Current services available include acute hospital services; the National Rehabilitation Hospital; multi-disciplinary community services; long-term assisted living supports; and rehabilitative training services. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and several non-statutory organisations.

The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has been working in collaboration with the HSE's National Disability Unit as part of an expert Working Group planning for the implementation of the Report. The Rehabilitation Medicine Programme has incorporated key elements of the Report into its own Model of Care and adopted the Strategy’s recommendation of “hub and spoke” model for specialist rehabilitation services and is keen to progress with a comprehensive model for the continuation of such service into the community. This co-operation will continue in 2013.

Improving access to outpatient services, including neurology, is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU together with the NTPF and the HSE have developed the OP waiting list minimum dataset that allows for data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU/NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.