Vol. 514 No. 6
203 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if a ventilator exists within the new Tallaght Hospital for the purposes of treating children with acute medical difficulties; if a policy exists within hospitals on the south side of Dublin to automatically transfer children with these difficulties to Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5012/00]
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital, has a ventilator for the purposes of treating children who require short-term ventilation. Children who require neurosurgery or long-term ventilation are transferred to the appropriate hospitals. The hospital authorities have informed me that it does not operate an automatic referral policy of children who require ventilation to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. The Deputy may also wish to note that in circumstances where the referral of a patient is considered necessary for clinical reasons the patient is referred to the most appropriate facility providing the necessary treatment.
