Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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477. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there are no staff at Beaumont Hospital to administer DHE treatment; if this is the case, in view of the fact that there are persons waiting up to two years for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24300/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the impact of this on people’s lives. Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities.

The National Clinical Programme for Neurology (NCPN) Model of Care document recommends an increase in the number of consultant neurologists, nurse specialists, including clinical nurse specialists, and other health care professionals which would address waiting time issues. The programme also proposed implementation of these recommendations over a period of 5 years. This will significantly improve the access for all Neurology patients.

The Model of Care was launched by the Director General of the HSE on the 27 September 2016 and the HSE is now working towards its implementation.

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.