Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 7

Written Answers. - Maternity Hospital Blood Transfusion Equipment.

Ivor Callely

Question:

154 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the maternity hospitals which can carry out routine in-utero blood transfusions; if he has received requests from any of the maternity hospitals to fund equipment to carry out such procedures; whether patients are currently sent to England for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The Deputy will be pleased to learn that I recently sanctioned the payment of £60,000 to the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, towards the purchase of cordocentesis equipment. The availability of this equipment means that expectant mothers who would previously have had to be referred to England for this procedure can now be treated in Ireland.