Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Paediatric Services.

Seán Haughey

Question:

478 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the level of paediatric services provided here; his plans to develop these services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21541/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I am satisfied that considerable improvements have been made in recent years in the area of paediatric hospital services. In 2000 a total of 83,000 children aged 0-14 years were treated as in-patients in public hospitals. A further 28,000 day cases were treated. The total number of children treated annually between 1996 and 2000 has been maintained despite a reduction in the number of children in the population from 860,000 in 1996 to 824,000 in 2000. The rate of treatment has therefore increased over the period.

In the area of waiting lists the total number of children on public hospital waiting lists in target specialties in June 2001, the latest date for which figures are available, was 2,857. This figure represents a decrease of 583 or 17% on the comparable figure for June 2000.

The overall target for waiting list initiative funding is to ensure that no child waits longer than six months for treatment. Considerable progress has been made in reducing waiting lists and waiting times in target specialties for children. For example, between June 2000 and June 2001, the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery for more than six months decreased by

85%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than six months decreased by

31%, and the number waiting for ENT services for more than six months decreased by 25%. It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment.

I am also pleased to report that considerable progress has been made in improving the infrastructure in paediatric hospitals. In addition to the relocation of the National Children's Hospital at the new hospital in Tallaght, my Department has funded a range of developments to further enhance paediatric services. In this regard I was pleased to recently open a new day ward and casualty department at Temple Street Children's Hospital. The development of the two units was funded by my Department at a cost of £2.7million – 3.43 million. The Deputy will also be aware that within five to seven years the hospital will relocate to the Mater Hospital campus as part of a major development programme approved for the site.

In addition, my Department has sanctioned a major theatre development at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. This development, when completed, will provide five new operating theatres complete with ancillary accommodation, a day surgery area incorporating two day theatre suites and a central sterile supplies department. When these theatres are fully commissioned it is expected that the hospital 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. The necessary planning for this work is now at an advanced stage. The next step will be to seek tenders for the work with commencement of construction to follow shortly thereafter. I also recently announced the provision of a capital grant of £3 million to the Eastern Regional Health Authority for the provision and replacement of urgent priority equipment and minor capital works at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. I am satisfied that the range of measures described above will facilitate the enhancement of paediatric services for children at specialist hospitals.