The organisation of specialist paediatric and neonatal surgical services has been the subject of extensive debate for a number of years. International best practice indicates that best clinical outcomes are achieved when the number of patients being treated in a unit is sufficient for a high level of surgical, anaesthetic and nursing expertise to be maintained.
There are currently three departments of paediatric surgery in Dublin, one in each of the children's hospitals. While there is a level of shared consultant posts, the three departments operate separately. My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that its view is that there is now a unique opportunity to develop a single, unified department of paediatric surgery in Dublin to facilitate integration and further collaboration among the three children's hospitals in advance of the move to a new national paediatric hospital.
The HSE has been in discussions with the three children's hospitals regarding paediatric services in general and paediatric specialist surgery in particular. Following these meetings, the HSE sought submissions from the hospitals. I understand that these submissions have recently been received and are under consideration.
