Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly

Friday 20 July 2012 Written Answers
McCollum Report: Access to specialist neuromuscular care in Northern Ireland”,” which was launched
on 3 July, and report back to me.
Deuchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy
Mr A Maginness asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what action he is
taking to alleviate the suffering of those diagnosed with Deuchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy.
(AQW 13428/11-15)
Mr Poots: Following diagnosis, people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are referred to the Special
Regional Muscle Clinic at Belfast City Hospital. This is a generic, all-age neuromuscular clinic at
Belfast City Hospital held twice monthly, which has input from Adult and Paediatric Neurologists, an
Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Consultant Geneticist. The clinic also provides therapy from Allied Health
Profession staff, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and orthoptics. The Muscular Dystrophy
Campaign officer also attends to provide family support.
In addition, the Belfast Trust has recently advertised for a new Neuromuscular Nurse Specialist Post,
which will cover both adults and children and will have a greater clinical focus. This will establish a
nurse-led service that could potentially review patients in their own home as well as in hospital.
Mourneside Family Practice, Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane
Ms Boyle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many patients (i) are
registered with the Mourneside Family Practice, Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane; and (ii) have attended
the practice in the last twelve months.
(AQW 13429/11-15)
Mr Poots:
(i) There were 10,780 patients registered with Practice 601, Mourneside Family Practice, Ballycolman
Avenue, Strabane as at 1st April 2012.
(ii) The information requested is not available centrally.
Mourneside Family Practice, Ballycolman Avenue, Strabane
Ms Boyle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many car-parking spaces
are available to members of the public accessing the Mourneside Family Practice, Ballycolman Avenue,
Strabane.
(AQW 13430/11-15)
Mr Poots: The Mourneside Family Practice, on Ballycolman Avenue in Strabane, is not a Western Health
and Social Care Trust facility but is a General Practitioner owned practice.
I can confirm, however, that there are 20 public car parking spaces available to the public at this practice.
Out-of-hours Services by Western Urgent Care
Ms Boyle asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many telephone contacts
were received by the Western Urgent Care Out of Hours service; and to list the the location of these
contacts, broken down by district council area.
(AQW 13431/11-15)
Mr Poots: The number of telephone contacts received by the Western Urgent Care Out of Hours service
during the year April 2011 – March 2012 is shown in the table below. Figures are allocated to District
Council area based on the location of the clinician; it should be noted that this may differ from the
location of the patient making the call. Information on the location of the patient is not available centrally.
WA 551