asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funds to St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8, for an MRI scanner as requested by the hospital; and his views on whether the hospital has a need for this facility. [22411/98]
Other Questions. - Hospital Services.
Alan Shatter
Question:152 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funds to St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, for an MRI scanner as requested by the hospital; and his views on whether the hospital has a need for this facility. [23824/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 152 together.
My Department has been aware of the need to monitor and evaluate overall MRI requirements in the public hospital service. Accordingly, an expert study of the existing arrangements for the provision of MRI facilities nationwide and likely future demand in this area was commissioned from Professor David Banta, an international expert in health technology assessment. Professor Banta's findings were announced last year.
As I have already outlined to the House, he identified the need to develop MRI facilities at University College Hospital, Galway, St. James's Hospital and the new Tallaght hospital. All three hospitals have now submitted applications to my Department for the development of MRI facilities on foot of the acceptance of Professor Banta's recommendations. My Department is currently in discussion with the management of St. James's Hospital concerning the installation and operational requirements for its facility. Once these discussions have been satisfactorily concluded, I am committed to making the necessary resources available for the provision of MRI facilities at St. James's Hospital.
I am conscious that the pace of developments in this area is fast moving, both in terms of the technologies involved and their applications. I assure the Deputies that the evolving needs of the acute hospital service for high technology imaging facilities will be taken into consideration in implementing the commitments set out earlier.
How soon will the Minister be in a position to advance matters further in the context of St. James's Hospital and to make available to it the capital funding required for MRI? Does he acknowledge the urgency of advancing this matter not just in relation to St. James's Hospital but the other hospitals mentioned by the Minister? I am sure he is aware that there are just under 1,000 patients from the Eastern Health Board area on a Beaumont Hospital waiting list for MRI scan facilities. Perhaps he might clarify if that waiting list incorporates patients from outside the Eastern Health Board area.
Mr. Cowen: Discussions with the management of St. James's Hospital are ongoing. It is a question of agreeing and dealing with the logistics of the installation and operational requirements. Once those discussions are concluded, we are committed to making the necessary resources available for the provision of those facilities at St. James's Hospital.
What outstanding information does the Department require to facilitate the Minister advancing matters further?
The information available to me concerns the installation and operational requirements of that facility. There is a fast pace of development in this area in terms of technologies and their applications. A technical discussion is taking place. Everyone recognises the need to bring this facility on stream as quickly as possible, but we must ensure it is done properly.
Will capital funding be made available for the provision of an MRI service at University College Hospital, Galway?
I do not have that information with me as this question is specific to St. James's Hospital. If the Deputy tables a parliamentary question, I will give him an accurate answer.
The Minister mentioned University College Hospital, Galway, in his reply.
The Deputy should accept my word.
He should be able to clarify what he said.
Is the Minister aware that the authorities in St. James's Hospital are waiting for his Department's movement to set up the MRI scan? Perhaps the Minister could clarify what information is outstanding from St. James's Hospital as it is my understanding it has submitted to his Department any information requested and it is awaiting word on when funding will be allocated?
I am not aware that anything is outstanding. My understanding is that discussions are ongoing.
Why are they ongoing if the Minister has confirmed he is allowing the matter to proceed?
I ask the Deputy to allow the Minister to reply without interruption.
If the Deputy's understanding is correct, I will have it checked out.
Perhaps the Minister could revert to me on it.