Ceist:
36 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Health and Children if the heart and lung transplant programme is still on course to commence in the Mater Hospital in April 2001; and the possibility, if any, of it being postponed. [27137/99]
Written Answers. - Transplant Programme.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:141 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if the heart and lung transplant programme is still on course to commence in the Mater Hospital in April 2001; and the possibility, if any, of it being postponed. [27181/99]
Bernard Allen
Ceist:175 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the implications for the future of the heart and lung transplant programme in view of the decision to transfer Temple Street children's hospital to the Mater Hospital; and his views on the statement of a surgeon (details supplied) who expressed serious doubts that adequate facilities will be in place by the official date of April 2001. [27301/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 141 and 175 together.
I have had inquiries made of the chief executive officer at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital and I have been assured, contrary to media reports, that the hospital remains committed to the commencement of the heart and lung transplant programme in April 2001.
This new service will be delivered, in the long-term, in the new theatre-intensive care unit complex which will form part of the recently approved development programme for the hospital. It is proposed that the new facility will include a dedicated unit for the delivery of cardiothoracic surgery, including the heart and lung transplant programme. Pending the completion of the overall hospital development project, an interim solution is proposed by the hospital for the programme which will include the provision of theatre and associated facilities. I have also been assured by the Mater Hospital authorities that, in both the interim and permanent solution, they are dedicated to the provision of a high quality service in this sub-specialty.
I have consistently emphasised that the provision of a suitable physical infrastructure for the programme is but one element to be considered in the development of a high quality service. It is also essential to ensure that the appropriate training and education of Irish staff be provided to facilitate the development of an Irish based programme. In this regard, a consultative group comprising key surgical, medical and management personnel from the Mater, St. Vincent's and Beaumont Hospitals together with officials from my Department was formed to oversee the implementation of the Government's commitment to establish an Irish based heart and lung transplant unit. The group has already devoted considerable time and effort to ensure that the programme is established consistent with the highest international standards in this field of organ transplantation. I assure the Deputies that I remain committed to the establishment of a quality programme, in line with best practice.