Hospital Procedures.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2007

Thursday, 29 March 2007

Questions (112, 113)

Brian O'Shea

Question:

107 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position of the living kidney transplant programme; her views on the family (details supplied) who described receiving a letter informing them of the suspension of the transplant programme; her further views on subsequent letters from Beaumont Hospital which stated that the programme will recommence in August 2007; the measures she will take to help those waiting for this programme to restart; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12077/07]

Denis Naughten

Question:

170 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the Health Service Executive are claiming that living donor kidney transplants have recommenced yet patients on waiting lists have been informed that operations are being postponed; the action she is taking to resolve the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12183/07]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 170 together.

I have requested and am awaiting a report of Beaumont Hospital on recent reports that the living donor related transplant programme has been suspended.

I identified the development of a living-related renal donor programme as a service priority in 2006. As part of the overall development of renal services my Department provided revenue funding of €8m to the HSE to support the provision of dialysis facilities and the development of a living related donor programme. Additional funding of €4m has also been provided in 2007 to continue to support the national development of renal services.

The HSE has advised that it has approved three additional consultant posts for the programme and is also working with the hospital to increase available theatre capacity for the programme.

My Department is advised by the HSE that a total of 15 living related transplants have been planned at Beaumont this year.