Vol. 478 No. 3
42 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he proposes to take to ensure that a national heart and lung transplant unit is provided in the State as a matter of urgency; when this will be done; the amount being allocated in this regard in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/97]
Limerick East): The establishment of a successful transplant programme for any specialty 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 experience with the successful liver transplant programme bears this out. The question of funding a heart/lung transplant programme is one which will be considered in the light of developments in this area.
I am aware of the difficulties being experienced by patients requiring lung or heart-lung transplants.I am considering the issues involved with a view to alleviating the difficulties for these patients. In the light of the experience gained in establishing the liver transplant programme, it is likely that a phased approach will be adopted, recognising the need to build expertise and to create a programme that is viable in terms of the outcomes for patients.
