Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Michael Ring

Question:

198 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a full reply will issue to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 18 April 2000 (details supplied) in view of the fact that the earlier reply did not deal with the specific issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14327/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I understand that the overall circumstances of the case have been addressed in correspondence to the Deputy from the Western Health Board.

In relation to the specific issue of the availability of a bed at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, my Department has been aware that there has been concern over waiting times for children in paediatric cardiac surgery at the hospital. In this context a lack of theatre space and ICU beds, shortage of ICU trained nurses and advances in surgical and interventional techniques available have been cited as contributing to the increasing pressure on this service.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that it has been agreed that the hospital's cardiac surgical capacity should be increased and in this regard a design team for the theatre development has been appointed. When completed 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. When these theatres are fully commissioned it is expected that Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children will be in a position to perform an additional 100 paediatric cardiac procedures per annum, which is an increase of 40% on its existing capacity. In the short-term, the hospital is also benefiting from funding under the cardiac surgery waiting list initiative. A sum of £700,000 has been provided in 2000 for this hospital for this purpose and a third cardiac surgeon has been approved for the hospital, with the post holder expected to take up duty in July.