§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to ensure there are enough specialised nursing staff in the neurology department of the Belfast city hospital. [83041]
§ Mr. BrowneThe Royal hospitals trust manages neurology services with a limited service provided to the outpatient department of the Belfast city hospital. This includes specific clinics for multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and a muscle clinic.
£300,000 has been provided from Priorities for Action moneys to support regional neurology services throughout NI and this included £25,000 for a specialist epilepsy nurse for outpatient activity.
Also included was a sum of £28,000 to support six outpatient clinics-two in NHSSB, two in SHSSB and two in EHSSB.
A sum of £100,000 was recently allocated to support multiple sclerosis nursing infrastructure in NI.