Vol. 383 No. 6
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious problems being experienced by the Children's Cancer Unit, Crumlin Hospital, Dublin 12, and particularly the severe shortage of trained nursing staff in the unit; and, in view of the fact that the number of admissions to Crumlin had increased from 50 in 1985 to 85 in 1988 if he will agree to a substantial increase in nursing staff and an adequate budget for the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
223.
asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself regarding staffing levels at the bone marrow transplant unit in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 223 together.
Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children provides a national service for children suffering from cancer. In 1987 approximately 60 new oncology cases were referred to the hospital. There has been a significant increase in the referral rate in 1988 and the hospital anticipates seeing 85 new cases by the end of the year. There is no immediate or obvious explanation for this increase. Doctors at the hospital are not convinced that there has been an increase in the incidence of cancer among children but suspect that the increase is due to a greater awareness among GPs of the services available at Crumlin.
Given the specialised nature of this service and skills required of those who work in the specialty, it is impossible to increase staff overnight. In any event the increase in referrals observed in 1988 may not be sustained. There were seven bone marrow transplants performed at the hospital in 1987; it is anticipated that up to 17 such procedures will be carried out in 1988.
I am considering the requirements of the unit in the context of the 1989 revenue allocation for the hospital.
