Vol. 396 No. 1
122 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a letter from a consultant neuro-surgeon in St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, which is being circulated widely; and if he will make a statement regarding the findings of Comhairle na nOspidéal in the area of neuro-surgical facilities in the Dublin area.
My attention has been drawn to the letter referred to by the Deputy. This letter referred to the transfer of the neuro-surgical service from St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, to Beaumont Hospital.
The decision to transfer the neuro-surgical service to Beaumont Hospital arose from a recommendation made by a sub-committee established by Comhairle na nOspidéal. This favoured the concentration of neurosurgical services in Dublin in one centre. The hospital co-operated in ensuring an orderly transfer of the service to Beaumont Hospital.
A consultant neurosurgeon has transferred from St. Vincent's Hospital and has taken up duty at Beaumont Hospital recently. Arrangements have also been made for consultant neurosurgical cover at St. Vincent's Hospital until such time as a final decision is made on the recommendations of Comhairle na nOspidéal on the future arrangements for the cover to be provided by Beaumont to the other major Dublin hospitals.
I am satisfied that the centralisation of the neurosurgical service is the best and most effective way of providing the service for those who need it. I very much regret that the facts relating to this very desirable rationalisation of a key service have not been accurately reflected in the letter referred to by the Deputy.
