Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Written Answers. - Liver Transplants.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

42 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding the future of liver transplants in this country; whether he intends to join with any foreign service in this regard; and if so, if he will give details of same.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

At present patients who might benefit from liver transplantation are assessed at St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, or at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Following assessment a decision is made by the relevant consultants on whether to have the transplant carried out in this country or to have the patient referred to a centre abroad.

The liver transplant programme has been kept under review by my Department with the co-operation of the two hospitals and the National Liver Transplant Committee which represents the views of all gastroenterologists concerned with the treatment of liver disease. Part of that review has centred on exploring the possibility of establishing closer links with one centre abroad. Such an arrangement would have many advantages for patients. To that end officers of my Department and consultants from the two hospitals have had discussions with a number of centres in the United Kingdom with a view to establishing such a relationship.

Discussions on this matter are continuing and I expect to be in a position to make a fuller statement on the matter before the summer recess.