Vol. 526 No. 2
96 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a proposal from Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin 12 to increase referrals to the UK with an additional 20 patients to be referred to Great Ormond Street, Birmingham and a London heart hospital over the coming 12 months. [26171/00]
Under the cardiac waiting list initiative for 2000, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children received additional funding for the continued implementation of a range of measures aimed at reducing the numbers of children awaiting cardiac surgery procedures. One of theses measures is the referral of patients to Great Ormond Street Hospital, London for treatment. The Eastern Regional Health Authority together with Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children have been examining measures to optimise the referral of patients to the UK for treatment pending the completion of capital developments at the hospital. They have also been examining opportunities for sourcing additional capacity elsewhere. While I have not yet received a formal proposal from the ERHA to increase the number of referrals to the UK for treatment in 2001, I am advised that it is finalising arrangements with the Children's Hospital, Birmingham and the Heart Hospital, London in this regard. Referrals to Great Ormond Street Hospital will continue in 2001. I have asked the regional chief executive of the authority to advise the Deputy directly on this matter.
