Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

Date published 21 Sep, 2021

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May, 2021 to 31 Aug, 2021

Specific Details Some people living with MS who were attending the Mercy University Hospital in Cork informed MS Ireland that they had been told the neurologist they usually attended had moved to Cork University Hospital and were given no clarity on the appointment of a replacement. MS Ireland contacted public representatives in Cork requesting clarity regarding neurology services in the Mercy University Hospital .

Intended results We hoped that some of the representatives would engage in communications with the hospital requesting clarity on neurology services for people living with MS who attend Mercy University Hospital Cork.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Aoife Kirwan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Phone call (2-5)

MS Ireland had a number of phone calls with public representatives in the Cork area to highlight issues accessing neurology services in Mercy University Hospital (MUH) Cork and for clarity regarding the placement of a neurologist from MUH to Cork University Hospital without patients being made aware.

Email (2-5)

MS Ireland liaised with a public representative in Cork to outline the issues people living with MS were facing as a result of a suspension of some neurology services in MUH and sought support with communications with the hospital for clarity on the situation.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)