Vol. 515 No. 4
128 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a report from the Society of British Neurological Surgeons which claimed that most neuro-surgical units in Ireland and the United Kingdom were working beyond their safe capacity and that there was a growing imbalance between the demand for the service and its supply. [6443/00]
The Society of British Neurological Surgeons recommends a capacity of 30 neurosurgical beds plus four intensive care beds per million population. The ideal number of neurosurgeons recommended by the society is eight to serve a population of three million.
In Ireland, neurosurgical services are provided at the national department for neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and by the department for neurosurgery at University College Hospital, Cork. Beaumont Hospital has six consultant neurosurgeons with access to 90 neurosurgical beds including 11 intensive care beds. University College Hospital Cork currently has two consultant neurosurgeons with access to 19 neurological beds and access to intensive care beds as required. My Department has recently granted approval for the appointment of an additional neurosurgeon for University College Hospital, Cork which will bring the total complement to three, including the filling of a vacancy which will shortly arise owing to a retirement.
The facts that I have outlined with regard to the current and future enhanced neurosurgery service adequately meet the criteria established by the Society of British Neurological Surgeons which will ensure a safe and accessible neurosurgery service which meets the population needs of this country.
