Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1310. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider a matter (details supplied) regarding rheumatology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37100/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department has contacted Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital concerning your question and has been provided with the following information regarding the services provided by the two hospitals:

Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street has a general paediatrician with a special interest in rheumatology, who is on maternity leave at present. The two rheumatologists at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin are covering the hospital’s outpatient department clinics in the spirit of cross hospital support. If a child needs joint injections, they will be done in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin but there has been no requirement to date. With regard to waiting list numbers, I am advised that Temple Street has 33 patients on its outpatient waiting list, with three new patients being seen per week at the Rheumatology Clinic, and four follow-up patients. A patient visit includes review with the multidisciplinary team i.e. consultant, physiotherapist and clinical nurse specialist. Links are also made with the dietetic and social work service as required.

With regard to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, both rheumatology consultant posts at Crumlin are general paediatricians with a special interest in rheumatology. The Clinical Director, Director of Operations, Chair of Medical Board and the two consultants have recently met with a view to reducing waiting times for rheumatology patients through a number of potential initiatives including, for example, a pilot project to utilise additional specialised physiotherapy resources. In addition two new consultant appointments taking up positions at the end of the year will also help with this service.