Vol. 393 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents of children attending Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 are concerned that there has been a deterioration in standards in specialised paediatric neurosurgery following the dismissal of a consultant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
245.
asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all paediatric neurosurgery can be adequately performed by the services at Beaumont Hospital now, as was the case before September, 1989; and whether he will give an assurance to the public that all international standards in paediatric neurosurgery can be met.
252.
asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that private patients appear to have access to specialist paediatric neurosurgial services at the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin 7, whereas public do not appear to have the same access to this specialisation in Ireland.
257.
asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the service of paediatric neurosurgery provided in Crumlin Hospital, Dublin 12, and Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, to public patients can be provided on an on-going basis to public patients.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 245, 252 and 257 together.
The position at present is that services for children in need of neurosurgery are being provided by the consultant neurosurgeons at Beaumont Hospital on referral of patients from consultants in the children's hospitals or direct from general practitioners.
The consultant neurosurgeons at Beaumont have dealt with a large volume of children's cases over the years and were responsible entirely for the service prior to March 1988. The British Institute of Neurosurgeons have confirmed that all accredited neurosurgeons are competent to deal with all aspects of neurosurgery, including children.
I am fully satisfied as to the competence of neurosurgeons at Beaumont Hospital to provide a high level quality service for all patients and for all conditions presenting and there is no need for any concern on the part of any patients or their parents. There is no medical need for any patient to go to a private facility for this service.
