Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 2

Written Answers. - Organs Transplant Programmes.

Michael McDowell

Question:

80 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health when the paediatric liver transplant programme for St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin is due to commence; the cost of the programme; the number of operations which will be carried out each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17130/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): A review group comprising representatives from the Department of Health, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, has carried out a detailed examination of the feasibility of commencing a viable paediatric liver transplantation programme in this country. The report of the group is being finalised at present.

Michael McDowell

Question:

81 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if he has made a decision on the establishment of a heart and lung transplant programme at the Mater Hospital in Dublin; if so, the start-up date for such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17131/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Open heart surgery including heart transplants are carried out at the National Cardiac Surgery Centre in the Mater Hospital. There is no lung or heart-lung transplantation programme in Ireland at present.

The Mater Hospital has submitted an outline preliminary proposal for a lung and heart-lung transplantation programme. The cost of the proposal from the Mater Hospital which would include additional cardiac surgery is: capital cost: £2.6 million; revenue cost: £2.4 million per annum. This would involve the employment of an additional 45 staff.

The establishment of a successful transplant programme for any speciality is an extremely complex and difficult task. It is essential to have appropriately trained staff, suitable infrastructure and a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure successful outcomes. The Department's recent experience with the successful liver transplant programme bears this out. I am aware of the difficulties being experienced by patients requiring lung or heart-lung transplants and I am considering options to alleviate these problems.