Finian McGrath
Question:104 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will meet the chairperson of the board of Temple Street hospital to discuss the potential crisis in the hospital. [19627/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
I recently met with the chairperson of the board of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, regarding the proposed transfer of a small number of specialist paediatric and neonatal surgical operations to Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin. By way of background to this issue the Deputy will be aware that the future provision and extent of paediatric surgery services was reviewed in 1998 by a committee established by Comhairle na nOspideal. The committee was asked to consider this issue in the absence of agreement among the three paediatric hospitals on the nature and structure of a replacement consultant paediatric surgeon post which had arisen at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin.
Comhairle recommended the concentration of a very small number of specialist paediatric and neonatal surgical operations in Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, with all three paediatric hospitals continuing to provide non-specialist paediatric surgery and less complex urology services. I am advised by Comhairle that a very small percentage of the children undergoing paediatric surgical procedures at Temple Street would require access to the specialist surgical services under consideration. However, I am also aware of the concerns which have been raised by Temple Street hospital in relation to the proposed transfer of this work.
I propose to have further discussions with Comhairle and the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a view to progressing an early resolution to the continuing difficulties in this area. In the wider context I will also be progressing a national review of paediatric services. The review will focus on the future organisation and delivery of hospital services for children. The aim of the review will be to enhance the range and level of services available at regional level and to determine the most effective configuration of tertiary service. The scope for developing certain highly specialised services on an all-island basis will also be explored.
Michael Ring
Question:105 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to Merlin Park Hospital, Galway for operations. [19677/02]
The provision of medical services in this instance is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.