Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1001. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the paediatric rheumatology outpatient waiting list (details supplied) at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33880/14]
View answerRheumatology services for children commenced in Crumlin in 2006 when one consultant and the necessary multi-disciplinary team were in place. At that time some 300 children per annum were attending the hospital for rheumatology services. In 2012 a second consultant paediatrician with a special interest in rheumatology was funded by the HSE to support the growing demand for this service and an additional Clinical Nurse Specialist post and additional physiotherapy provision were put in place by the hospital to enhance the service. Temple Street Children's University Hospital works with Crumlin and each hospital supports the other with regards to rheumatology services across the two sites.
Demand for this service has grown since its establishment in Crumlin Hospital with over 1,100 children seen at outpatient clinics at the end of 2013. The HSE has advised the Department of Health that there are over 700 children attending Crumlin who require ongoing treatment and follow up, many of whom require day case admission for drug therapy. There were 800 day case attendances in 2013. As children reach the age of 16 years of age they are transitioned to adult services, which allow younger children to attend the service. Paediatric Consultants with a special interest in a subspecialty are required to support the general paediatric workload in the hospital. In October of this year, the hospital put in place a full time general paediatrician and a half time general paediatrician and other supports which will enable the paediatric consultants with a special interest in rheumatology to concentrate on their subspecialty which the hospital anticipates will increase capacity to deal with the waiting lists.
The HSE has advised the Department that the Hospital is currently in the process of developing a business case to identify the further resources required to deal with the increase in demand. This will then be considered in the context of competing demands for the overall resources available in 2015 and beyond.
