Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Brendan Kenneally

Question:

176 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to the need to expand the dialysis service at Waterford Regional Hospital, his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is costing up to £30,000 on an annualised basis to provide transport for a patient to and from Dublin; his views on whether this is value for money; if this money could be better spent on expanding the service within the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13327/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of renal dialysis at Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. A new dialysis unit was opened there in March 1997, catering for 32 patients per week as part of the major capital development at the hospital. In 1998, I approved additional funding of £200,000 to enable the hospital to provide a service to further patients that required dialysis as demand for the service grew. As a result, a total of 42 patients are now attending the unit each week.

I am aware that further demand for access to this service exists and my Department will continue to work with the South Eastern Health Board in identifying and addressing the board's overall service development needs. In this regard, expansion of dialysis services will continue to be considered in the context of the board's competing priorities.