Tony Gregory
Question:278 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the assistance he will make available to provide a heart and lung transplant unit in the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14359/02]
Written Answers. - Transplant Unit.
The provision of a lung transplant unit at the Mater Hospital forms part of a major capital development approved for the hospital and considerable preparatory work has already been completed in relation to the commencement of this service. The draft report of the expert consultative group established to advise my Department on the many issues associated with the development of this complex programme, was the subject recently of a very positive discussion involving the Department, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Mater Hospital. Following that meeting I understand that the hospital has finalised an assessment of the resource requirements associated with the introduction of the programme. This submission is being considered as a priority by the Eastern Regional Health Authority and I look forward to receiving the views of the ERHA in this regard at an early date.
In terms of the time scale for the introduction of the programme I am advised that the hospital proposes to commence lung transplantation towards the end of the current year. In this regard, 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.
Pending the establishment of lung transplantation in this country, an agreement is in place with the Freeman Hospital in the UK for the treatment of Irish patients. 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. Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy 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.