Vol. 512 No. 1
161 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, he has to increase the number of consultant nephrologists to the same average level which applies in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland; the proposals, if any, he has to introduce renal dialysis on a home based system as opposed to hospital base; and the targets, if any, he has for the reduction in waiting times for vascular surgery for renal patients. [25586/99]
162 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the current capping of the number of patients which can be treated for renal dialysis services at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if his Department will ensure in discussions with the South Eastern Health Board that all patients requiring this treatment in the south east will be treated in Waterford in view of the fact it is more cost effective than travelling to Dublin. [25587/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.
On the occasion of the publication of the spending Estimates for 2000, I announced the allocation of £3 million revenue funding and £3 million capital funding next year for the commencement of a programme for the development of renal dialysis services. This programme, which I would hope to see completed over three years at an estimated total cost of £20 million, will be aimed at achieving a structured enhancement of the capacity of the system to meet existing and anticipated growth in demand for renal services over the coming years.
In particular, it is intended to: address existing infrastructural constraints that are limiting the ability of certain haemodialysis centres to meet demands for access to their services; ensure that regional dialysis centres are adequately resourced to give patients access to services close to their own home; provide for the availability of a consultant nephrology service in all regions with a view to widening the availability of alternative dialysis treatment programmes, such as CAPD and CCPD, for optimal and equitable individual patient choice; and address wider health and social needs of the renal population through supporting the Irish Kidney Association in its development of targeted programmes in these areas.
The deployment of the £3 million revenue and £3 million capital that is being made available in 2000 will be primarily directed at addressing immediate requirements that are apparent from my Department's review of services in the area. In tandem with this, my Department will be engaging in further detailed consultations with all relevant interests and further examining the epidemiology of end-stage renal failure with a view to informing the most effective means of investing the further resources that will be made available in 2001 and 2002. Immediate requirements for the improvement of services for renal patients in the South Eastern Health Board will be taken into account in this overall context.
