Vol. 503 No. 5
45 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, is not funded to provide vagal nerve implants; if an application has been received from the hospital to allow it perform a number of these procedures each year; the reason no funding has been provided for these procedures; and if funding will be urgently provided for 1999. [9686/99]
101 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, is not funded to provide vagal nerve implants; if an application has been received from the hospital to allow it perform a number of these procedures each year; the reason no funding has been provided for these procedures; and if funding will be urgently provided for 1999. [10492/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 101 together.
Vagal nerve implants are provided for patients who have intractable epilepsy and who are not suitable for surgery or who have failed surgery. Over the past few years, Beaumont Hospital has funded a small number of vagal nerve implants on a case-by-case basis from within its allocation. This would be normal procedure when the hospital developed its annual service plan.
I understand from the hospital authorities that the number of patients being recommended for this treatment at the hospital has increased. The hospital did not prioritise this service for development funding in 1999. However, I understand that the hospital currently is finalising a submission to the Department seeking additional funding for this service. On receipt of the hospital's submission, it will be considered within the context of the hospital's overall priorities for the year 2000 and the many competing demands within the acute sector.
