Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Noel Ahern

Question:

517 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the proposed heart lung transplant unit announced a few years ago for the Mater Hospital; the progress which has been made with planning; the remaining plans to be undertaken; and when the unit will be up and running. [13246/02]

Phil Hogan

Question:

543 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if plans for a lung transplant unit for Ireland have been sanctioned; if so, when work will commence on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13566/02]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

565 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the development of a lung transplant unit in Dublin, as promised to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland before the 1997 programme for government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13840/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 517, 543 and 565 together.

The Deputies will be aware that the Mater Hospital, Dublin, has been designated as the surgical site for the establishment of a lung trans plant facility in Ireland. The provision of a lung transplant unit at the hospital forms part of a major capital development approved for the hospital and considerable preparatory work has already been completed by the hospital in relation to the commencement of this project. An expert consultative group, chaired by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, was established to advise my Department on various issues associated with the development of the programme. The report was the subject of a very positive discussion with the ERHA and the Mater Hospital in March this year. A number of key clinical appointments have already been made at the Mater Hospital, including the appointment of a consultant surgeon and a consultant physician.

The hospital has now finalised an assessment of the resource requirements associated with the introduction of the programme and this is currently being considered by my Department. I am advised that the hospital proposes to commence lung transplantation towards the end of the current year. Pending the establishment of the programme in this country, an agreement is in place with the Freeman Hospital in the UK for the treatment of Irish patients requiring a lung or heart and lung transplant. To date 19 patients from this country have received a transplant at the Freeman Hospital under the agreement. This contract will continue while the necessary arrangements are being progressed in terms of establishing the programme in Ireland.

It is also important to note that lungs donated in Ireland have been retrieved by the medical team at Newcastle and have helped to facilitate this additional transplant work at Newcastle for the benefit of Irish patients. I assure the Deputies that the establishment of the Irish programme will continue to be progressed as a priority by my Department in conjunction with the ERHA and the Mater Hospital.