Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the development of future adult and paediatric rheumatology services in view of the difficulties accessing both services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5396/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The specialty of rheumatology continues to be one of the most rapidly growing services within Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and now accounts for the highest number of medical day care patients per year. This increase in demand has had a corresponding effect on waiting lists for paediatric rheumatology services.

Adult and Paediatric Rheumatology services are part of the medical service provided in the primary care setting and in hospitals for patients with arthritis and related conditions.

Paediatric rheumatology hospital services and adult rheumatology hospital services are developed in accordance with patient needs and are part of the normal HSE service planning process.

I am committed to reducing waiting lists across the range of specialties including rheumatology.

The HSE has developed a new National Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare Services, which includes the development of a hub and spoke model of care for paediatric rheumatology as part of a national clinical network for paediatrics. The new children’s hospital will have a central role in this national model of care which will include the provision of outreach clinics to regional centres to improve access for those children living outside the greater Dublin area. The development of the new children’s hospital and urgent care centres will provide an opportunity to progress operational integration of the three existing children’s hospital rheumatology services and to plan for the appropriate provision of these services well in advance of the move to the new facilities.