Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Written Answers. - Blood Transfusion Service Board.

David Stanton

Question:

37 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, for enhancing the services provided by the Blood Transfusion Service in Cork; and the discussions, if any, he has undertaken concerning the proposal to transfer all blood testing to Dublin. [5541/00]

Michael Creed

Question:

126 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children the contacts, if any, he has had with the Blood Transfusion Service Board since his appointment; the matters, if any, discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5351/00]

Alan Shatter

Question:

137 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, for enhancing the services provided by the Blood Transfusion Service in Cork; and the discussions, if any, he has undertaken concerning the proposal to transfer all blood testing to Dublin. [5604/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 126 and 137 together.

The Blood Transfusion Service Board – BTSB – recently advertised for a second consultant haematologist to be located at its Cork centre. This appointment will be on a joint basis with Cork university hospital to which there will be a commitment of three sessions per week. The report of the committee on haematology services which was adopted by Comhairle na nOspidéal at its meeting on 17 December 1999 considered it important to ensure that the BTSB consultant haematologists provide an appropriate advisory-liaison service to relevant hospitals. Details of such enhanced services will be developed on a partnership basis between the BTSB and the Southern Health Board depending on the particular expertise of the appointee and the needs of the hospitals in the region. The additional consultant may also provide services on a national basis depending on her-his expertise. The closing date for the applications is 9 March 2000 and I expect the BTSB and the Southern Health Board to proceed and make the joint appointment as early as possible.

The BTSB considers that further capital development is desirable at its Cork centre, and has approved an outline planning brief in this regard. A more detailed planning brief is now being prepared and a project team within the BTSB has been established. As the Cork centre is located on the campus of St. Finbarr's Hospital, the BTSB has written to the Southern Health Board seeking discussions in relation to its leasehold interest in the site. My Department will consider any application from the BTSB for further capital investment in the Cork centre as a matter of priority.

In relation to discussions with the BTSB, I met the chairperson of the board at her request on 16 February 2000 to discuss the filling of vacancies on the board. I also took the opportunity to discuss the background to the board's decision to centralise testing at the board's national headquarters. I intend to have a more substantive meeting with the board to discuss its current policies and future strategies at an early date. I will also meet with members of the Southern Health Board and representatives of the consultant staff in relation to their concerns about centralising testing.