Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2017
206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the extent of services and treatments that will be available to children on an all-island basis in the new national children's hospital; the way in which it is anticipated that Brexit will impact on plans to achieve and implement this proposed care delivery model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44573/17]
View answerThe development of the new children’s hospital will have a positive impact on paediatric healthcare for the island of Ireland. The hospital will provide tertiary and quaternary paediatric services, including on an all-island basis, where agreed between the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland. There is potential to develop further clinical networks bringing benefit to patients across the island of Ireland building on the all-island Congenital Heart Disease Network established in March 2015.
The Department of Health and its agencies have been conducting detailed analysis on the impacts of Brexit in the area of health. A number of issues are being examined and contingency planning for a range of eventualities is underway. A key issue will be to ensure that there is minimum disruption to health services and that essential services are maintained on a cross-border, all-island and Ireland-UK basis. The health sector has a highly mobile workforce and free movement issues and the mutual recognition and assurance of professional qualifications are being considered.
These issues are currently being examined by my Department and its agencies and this work will continue over the period ahead. The key priorities for my Department are to ensure continuity in the provision of health services and provision of health services and to avoid, or mitigate against, changes to the current situation that would have a negative impact on human health. These are also key factors in considering the prioritisation of risks.
The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other departments on Brexit, and to work and contribute as required to the cross Governmental response, including on the themes identified, in light of the ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders.
An extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions is under way. I am continuing to engage with my EU counterparts on an ongoing basis.
