Liam Kavanagh
Ceist:2 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the level of neurosurgery available at present in the State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Level of Neurosurgery.
I am satisfied with the level of neurosurgical services available at present in the State.
I am also satisfied that recent developments involving the centralisation of neurosurgery at Beaumont Hospital, which has one of the most excellent neurosurgical facilities in Western Europe, will be of benefit to patients in need of the service.
I would like to raise two issues with the Minister, the number of neurosurgical facilities and the quality of these facilities. Was it not the Minister's intention to have a neurosurgery centre of excellence in Beaumont Hospital? Why has that not been achieved? I know the Minister wants to achieve it, but he has not achieved it. Is the Minister satisfied that the expertise in paediatric neurosurgery is available there, especially in the light of the recent cases that have arisen and of the information arising out of parliamentary complaints?
I am satisfied that there is a centre of excellence in Beaumont Hospital, following on the great tradition of the centre of excellence that was established many years ago in the Richmond Hospital which was in the forefront of modern neurosurgery in Europe.
I do not understand the Deputy's assertion that a centre of excellence has not been achieved because I believe it has. The Deputy referred to the fact that a paediatric neurosurgeon who was on the staff of Beaumont hospital is no longer there but I would like to let the Deputy know, if he is not already so aware, that an advertisement was placed for a replacement for Mr. O'Neill. I understand interviews will be taking place shortly for that position.
Is the Minister aware of the deep dissatisfaction in St. Vincent's Hospital in relation to the transfer of their neurosurgical facilities? Will the Minister ensure that all the patients who were previously treated in St. Vincent's Hospital will be adequately catered for and that in fact facilities will be expanded in Beaumont Hospital? Can he say when that will be done?
I understand that Comhairle na nOspidéal have recommended, and this is what we have accepted in the Department as the correct course to follow—that neurosurgery services should be centralised in Beaumont Hospital to the benefit of patients generally. I am unaware of dissatisfaction in St. Vincent's Hospital other than the case of one surgeon who has been circulating letters, a matter I brought up with the hospital and I am glad to say the hospital authorities agree with my view on such matters.
They have no choice.
I want to assure the House and the people generally that the patients who were on the waiting list for St. Vincent's Hospital and will not be operated on in St. Vincent's by the surgeon who is doing his own locum will certainly be looked after in the new centralised unit in Beaumont Hospital.
I am quite surprised that the Minister did not take Question No. 50 with Question No. 2 which deals also with the question of neurosurgeons and neurosurgical services. I understand that some years ago there were four neurosurgeons available for public patients on the north side and four also on the south side but that there are now only three neurosurgeons for the whole of Dublin. Can the Minister comment on that and can he give the figures for the number of neurosurgeons available in public hospitals on both the north and south side of Dublin and compare them with the numbers available some years ago?
We are dealing now with Question No. 2 and that subject matter only.
We are dealing with the question of neurosurgical services.
There are four neurosurgeons working in Beaumont Hospital at present and there will be a fifth when the paediatric neurosurgeon is appointed. Until we reach Question No. 50 I do not have the Information requested by the Deputy, but it will be circulated to him.
The Minister——
I am unaware that there were ever four neurosurgeons working on the south side of Dublin.
Could the Minister tell how many neurosurgeons were operating in public hospitals in the Dublin area two years ago?
Dr. O'Hanlon rose.
The Minister does not want to give the House the information.
That is a separate question Deputy.
It is not a question of giving the House information. The answer is in the reply to Question No. 50 which we will reach if we keep going. The Question asks how many neurologists are currently available in public hospitals——
Two chances.
On the north side and on the south side——
Very essential.
I am afraid the answer would not help the Deputy.
Let us wait for the question referred to.
It is still necessary.
The Minister has agreed that Beaumont will be the centre of excellence for neurosurgery. Is it not true that because it is understaffed, due to circumstances the Minister is aware of, it cannot be the centre of excellence becasue there is a vacancy which is shrouded in controversy — not that I have received letters from the consultant but from the parents of children in need of neurosurgery which they cannot get? The Minister has admitted that there is a vacancy.
I have answered questions in this House and the matter has also been raised on the Adjournment. I have been assured by the neuroscientist division in Beaumont that they are competent to carry out the work they carried out prior to 1986 when the first paediatric neurosurgeon was appointed.
What about the waiting lists?
I am satisfied that there is a centre of excellence there and that it will be enhanced by the new appointment when there will be five neurosurgeons, in fact six neurosurgeons, because Mr. Pidgeon has also moved across from St. Vincent's Hospital.