Vol. 443 No. 3
9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients, if any, who have been sent abroad in the past two years for laser treatment in respect of birth marks; if this treatment is available within the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information regarding numbers of patients referred abroad for laser treatment of birth marks is not routinely collected by my Department.
However, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that my Department provided a capital grant of £25,000 to St. James's Hospital last year towards the cost of providing improved laser treatment facilities which include a new dedicated suite. A new state of the art laser, particularly suitable for the treatment of port wine stains, has been donated to the hospital by the Smurfit Foundation and will be suitable for the treatment of birth marks and similar conditions. The new laser treatment suite is now fully operational at the hospital.
The number of patients sent abroad for treatment in the last 12 months is 33. Why were the facilities here not utilised? Why should patients be sent abroad when the facilities exist here? If the Minister does not have that information with him, perhaps he will get it for the House.
I am collating information and I will get it for the Deputy as soon as I can. It takes time to get in touch with every health board. The only information I have in relation to referrals abroad is that one patient was referred from the Eastern Health Board and one patient from the Mid-Western Health Board to Leeds General Infirmary for laser treatment for the removal of a birth mark. The treatment is now available at St. James's Hospital and both patients are having ongoing and follow-up treatment there. I hope all future cases will be treated there.
