Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

233 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he proposes to take to bring about greater co-operation among health boards and hospitals in different health board areas in view of the fact that Beaumont Hospital and the South-Eastern Health Board have rejected a patient trade-off arrangement whereby patients referred to hospital from the board would be counter-balanced by hospital being in a position to refer patients back to the board. [23232/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

The provision of medical services to eligible persons in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the South-Eastern Health Board. I understand from the South-Eastern Health Board that a good relationship exists between the board and Beaumont Hospital in relation to patient transfers. Transfers are not made on a trade off basis but are arranged on the basis of individual patient needs, as the occasion arises. This process is advised by the individual consultant involved and is also guided by the resources available with particular reference to acquired brain injury (ABI) patients.