asked the Minister for Health if his Department will provide funds for the purchase of an EMI Whole Body Scanner; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EMI Scanner.
22.
An application was received some time ago from one of the Dublin hospitals for approval of the purchase of an EMI Whole Body Scanner. This application is being considered in my Department in the light of the many demands being made on the limited funds available at present for hospital improvement schemes. No decision has yet been reached but in view of its cost, around £250,000 it is unlikely that it will be possible to provide a grant for this equipment in the near future.
I understand that this scanner is known as the cat scanner. Is it true that the Department would make great savings in expenditure if such a machine were used?
I am not so aware that there would be a great saving. There is no evidence as yet to prove that.
While realising that there are many demands on the Department, I would ask the Minister to bear in mind that the use of this machine could reduce considerably the number of hospital admissions and the Department could save enormously. It was found out in Britain that by using one of these machines a fantastic amount of money was saved. People can have investigations carried out in minutes which would normally require a stay in hospital of one to two weeks with many expensive tests. Would the Minister bear this in mind before he rejects the application?
I will not entirely reject it, but reject it for the moment. One of the hospitals has established a committee to inquire into the cost, possible ways of raising money and, I presume, the use of the machine with a view to saving money.
If the private interests were to provide a substantial proportion of this money, would the Minister give favourable consideration to providing the balance?
I could not say "favourable" but I will give it consideration.
Is the Minister aware that the provision of at least one of these machines is absolutely essential to this country? Could he confirm my information that the British health service intend to provide 30 machines this year and that they represent both from the economy and strictly medical points of view an enormous advance? In those circumstances, would he not regard the amount of £250,000 as of relatively minor importance? Furthermore, would he look at this question in the context of the country as a whole, be careful to avoid a situation where every hospital will feel that it must have one of these machines and ensure that, whatever approach we adopt with regard to the provision of one of these scanners, it will be in the best interests of the entire hospital service? If he intends providing one or two machines he should make sure that they are strategically situated and are not used by any hospital as a status symbol.
I do not disagree substantially with what the Deputy said. These EMI scanners are fairly new. My information is that they are not in great use in Great Britain. Although I believe they would save money, they would also greatly facilitate the medical profession. To be honest, purchase of a machine would have to be deferred until other demands, which are regarded as priorities, are met.
In the last ten or 11 questions I have had suggestions from Deputies opposite which, if implemented, would cost millions and millions of pounds. I can think of certain priorities only. I want to ensure that the services will be carried on in a good and efficient way, but suggestions to expend millions of pounds just cannot be entertained this year.
The medical advantages which would accrue are, I understand, enormous, because this is something new, different and unprecedented. Would the Minister not have a cost-benefit analysis carried out of this particular expenditure because my information is to the effect that the employment of one or two of these machines, strategically based, would result in enormous savings?
As I informed Deputy O'Connell, one particular hospital is going into the matter of the advantages and savings which would result from the use of this machine and the possible ways of financing it. I would prefer to wait for their report before I give the matter further consideration.
One final point——
The Chair has allowed a great deal of latitude on this question.
I would ask the Minister not to consider the provision of this new type of machine on the basis of the requirements of one particular hospital but to look at the country as a whole, because this is a new and unique type of development.
Any conclusions the committee come to would be of general application and not necessarily in respect of the hospitals of which they are a part.
With reference to what Deputy Haughey said, machines cannot be put in everywhere. The best place would be in the State's own hospital, St. Laurences.
That is not a question. Question No. 23.
That is the committee I referred to.