Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

83 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who were sent to the United Kingdom for cardiac surgery in each of the past three years; the plans, if any, he has to continue this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3785/00]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

84 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons working in Crumlin Children's Hospital; the plans, if any, he has to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3786/00]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

85 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery or treatment in Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin; the average waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3787/00]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

86 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost incurred by his Department in sending a child to the United Kingdom for heart surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3788/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 to 86, inclusive, together.

Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children is the national paediatric cardiac centre. Following discussions in 1997 between the hospital and officials from my Department, it was considered that a range of measures should be implemented to alleviate pressure on cardiac surgery services at the hospital. Included in these measures was the agreement to upgrade the theatre facilities, which when completed will boost the hospital's annual capacity by an additional 100 procedures.

As an interim measure, it was agreed that the hospital should enter negotiations with suitable UK facilities for the purchase of additional cardiac surgery procedures and that resources would be met under the cardiac surgery waiting list initiative. Under this initiative 18 children were referred to the UK in 1997, 30 children were referred to the UK in 1998 and 69 children were referred to the UK in 1999. My Department has allocated additional funding of £0.7 million to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children to continue this initiative in 2000. The details of this funding, including the referral of children to the UK for cardiac procedures, will be discussed with the hospital in the context of their service plan for 2000.

The Deputy may be aware that the design team for the theatre development at the hospital has been appointed. When complete the new theatre development will provide five new operating theatres complete with ancillary accommodation, a day surgery area and a central sterile supplies department. The existing theatre facilities will also be upgraded to provide a further two theatre suites. It is expected that when these theatres are fully commissioned Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children will be in a position to perform an additional 100 paediatric cardiac procedures, which is a 40 per cent increase on existing capacity. The estimated completion date for the development is 2002.

With regard to the staffing situation there are currently four cardiologists and two cardiac surgeons working in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. Approval for a third cardiac surgeon has already issued, the recruitment procedure has been finalised and the selected candidate is expected to take up duty in July 2000.

As at 31 January 2000, the latest date for which figures are available, there was a total of 96 public patients awaiting cardiac surgery procedures in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. Of these 96 public patients, 14 are waiting between zero and three months, 19 are waiting three to six months, and 63 are over six months. The average waiting time for routine paediatric cardiac surgery is 2 years. The prioritisation of the waiting list is a matter for the clinicians concerned and it is important to note that immediate medical treatment is provided to urgent cases. In 1999 the average cost of sending a child to the United Kingdom for heart surgery was £16,400.

The paediatric cardiology-cardiac surgery services are under constant review by my Department and the authorities at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children and I am confident that, when complete, the new theatre development at the hospital will be a significant factor in enhancing these services.