Vol. 503 No. 5
28 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the severe pressure on the dialysis unit in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 which has resulted in some elderly patients being called in for treatment in the middle of the night; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10483/99]
I am aware that there has been a significant growth in the numbers of patients attending for renal dialysis treatment at Beaumont Hospital over the past few years. The hospital provides a haemodialysis service on a 24 hour basis and they perform 22,000 treatments approximately per annum.
Over the past year or so, officials of my Department have been in discussion with the hospital regarding the development of this service with a particular emphasis on improving access and conditions for patients. As part of these discussions, my Department has stressed the importance of collaboration and co-operation between Beaumont Hospital and other service providers in the delivery of this service, particularly for patients within its immediate catchment area. Arising from these discussions, the North Dublin Nephrology Network has been formally established which is aimed at fostering collaboration between the Mater and Beaumont Hospitals in the delivery of the service within North Dublin.
This year, my Department has made substantial additional funding available to the Mater and Beaumont hospitals specifically for the development of dialysis services with a view to improving access for patients. In tandem with this, my Department is undertaking a review of renal dialysis service requirements nationally, in consultation with service providers and user groups, in the context of the preparation of Estimates for year 2000.
