asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the need for a dialysis machine in Ardkeen Hospital, Waterford; if he is further aware of the necessity for some patients suffering from kidney failure to travel frequently and at considerable expense to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Waterford Hospital Dialysis Unit.
83.
A hospital renal maintenance dialysis unit needs specialised staffing including a nephrologist, junior medical staff trained in the techniques of dialysis and in the complications that can arise, specially trained nursing staff, and a technician to service the dialysis machines. For these reasons dialysis units are limited to a small number of the larger hospitals in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
I understand that at present there are nine patients in the South Eastern Health Board area who need regular renal dialysis in hospital and 14 other patients who use home dialysis machines. I am advised that these numbers would not justify the provision of a maintenance dialysis unit in Ardkeen Hospital.
The South Eastern Health Board grant travel vouchers or petrol allowances to seven of the patients to cover their visits to the dialysis unit in Dublin and the other two patients are entitled to free travel. The patients receive a meal, free of charge, at the dialysis unit.