Parkinson's specialist care
Deputy Collins raised the lack of a Parkinson's consultant and specialist nurses in Cork and called for better services. The Minister praised community nursing models, said health funding is at unprecedented levels, and would mention the matter to the Minister for Health.
Yesterday I hosted the Parkinson's Association of Ireland's briefing in the audiovisual room. We were told there has been no Parkinson's consultant in Cork University Hospital since 2016. There has been a promise of a replacement for years but still nothing. There have been no specialist Parkinson's nurses in Cork since 2021.
The Parkinson's Association of Ireland is looking for proper care for people with Parkinson's disease and with only six specialised Parkinson's nurses in Ireland at present, we are falling way behind in care for people who suffer from the disease. Investing in more specialised nurses is a cost-efficient way of improving the efficiency of outpatient clinics, reducing waiting times and ensuring that patients have access to the specialised support they need to manage their conditions. More specialised nurses would also ensure that patients get quicker access to outpatient appointments, thereby reducing waiting lists and ensuring that any deterioration in the patient's health status can be mitigated.
There is a need for at least 20 specialised Parkinson's nurses in Ireland. The least that should happen in the forthcoming budget is that the Government set aside funding for six this year. Can the Minister tell me the Government's plan for Parkinson's sufferers in the budget?
Comment on this
I have seen at first hand the curse of Parkinson's disease. I have also seen the benefit one can get, particularly from that community nurse care model where miracles can happen in terms of helping people through a very debilitating disease. The health budget has expanded beyond all compare and already this year it is at unprecedented levels. We will not decide the future allocation until the September budget. I see the provision of those Parkinson's places being exactly in line with the Sláintecare approach of doing things in the community, on a preventative basis. I will mention to the Minister of Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, the Deputy's figures about Cork and the particular shortage there. It makes sense for us to invest in that.