Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the health services North and South are likely to become associated in a complementary fashion in the provision of services at the proposed new children's hospital; the extent to which paediatric services can be shared North and South, as put forward at recent North-South parliamentary discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28501/15]
View answerAs I stated when I appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee to discuss opportunities to enhance health service provision through North-South co-operation there is a growing interest in cross-Border all-island health and social care services co-operation where mutual advantage can be demonstrated. There have been several significant cross-Border and all-island initiatives over the past 20 years, with the early experience gained through local and regional pilot projects in the Border area, building the confidence to put more permanent collaborative arrangements in place. Today, there are many examples which illustrate that co-operation between North and South in health makes sense. I am committed to strengthening and increasing North-South health co-operation.
There is continued engagement between my Department and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland on progressing co-operation in paediatric cardiology services on an all-island basis. The expert international working group report on an all-island service for cardiology and cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease was published in October 2014. This report is a pragmatic example of co-operation across both jurisdictions which seeks to create an effective, integrated service for the benefit of patients. It makes clear and explicit recommendations on the development of a single congenital cardiac service for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. One of the recommendations was that paediatric surgery and interventional cardiology should cease in Belfast and that all services should be provided in Dublin, giving us the critical mass needed for such a centre. This development will ensure that a very vulnerable group of sick children and young people get the best level of care no matter where they come from on the island.
The implementation of the report recommendations has commenced on a phased basis at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin this year and these services will move to the new children's hospital when built. The new hospital will be co-located with St. James's Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, which will relocate to the campus in due course. In addition to the main hospital, the project includes two satellite centres at the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals. Design development for the hospitals and satellite centres is ongoing and a planning submission is to be made in the coming weeks. Subject to planning, work is scheduled to commence at all three sites in early 2016. The intention is that the new children’s hospital will become a child-centred and family-focused world class facility, capable of anticipating and responding to developments in healthcare expected over the next generation. The hospital will provide tertiary and quaternary paediatric services, including on an all-island basis where agreed, as well as secondary paediatric services for the greater Dublin area.
