I am glad the Chair afforded me the opportunity to raise this important issue on the Adjournment tonight and that the Minister for Health is present.
The campaign to provide a renal dialysis unit in Cavan General Hospital has been ongoing for some time. A major fund raising campaign was launched in July 1992 by the Cavan-Monaghan branch of the Irish Kidney Association. Thankfully, that campaign met with tremendous success. At the outset I wish to compliment the officers of the Cavan-Monaghan branch of the Irish Kidney Association, the personnel in Cavan General Hospital and the people of Cavan-Monaghan for their generous contribution to this worthy cause. That campaign was launched with the purpose of raising £200,000 as the local contribution towards the establishment of the unit and to date in excess of £200,000 has been raised. The funding was raised at a time when there were other worthy causes seeking financial assistance. As a result of the commitment given by the Department of Health to consider the provision of a dialysis unit at Cavan General Hospital in the context of the 1993 Estimates, the Irish Kidney Association agreed to raise funds for the total capital cost of equipment for the unit.
A unit of the type needed for dialysis services can be located in a six bed ward in Cavan General Hospital under the management of Dr. Frank Walker, consultant physician, who has extensive experience in nephrology. Such a unit will be viable and will provide cover in Cavan, Monaghan and the neighbouring counties of Meath, Leitrim, Westmeath and Longford. I understand the North-Eastern Health Board in its proposals to the Department of Health outlined the need for such a service in the geographical area to which I have referred and the breakdown with regard to hospital personnel and medical equipment.
I am sure all Members would number among their friends people who have experienced total kidney failure. We are all aware of the hardship endured by patients having to travel to Dublin maybe three days a week to spend four hours per day on a kidney machine. Regardless of the weather, that travel is difficult and is a particular cause of hardship to people who suffer ill-health. The strains imposed by that travel on those in need of dialysis are wrong and inhuman. We must remember also that the chances of employment for kidney patients are significantly reduced because of their physical condition and the duration of travel to and from the dialysis unit.
The benefits to the Cavan-Monaghan area and parts of the neighbouring counties of having a dialysis unit in Cavan General Hospital are obvious. It would mean less travelling, less anxiety and hardship for patients and their families and the distinct possibility that patients might be able to return to full time employment. We are very fortunate that Dr. Frank Walker, consultant at Cavan General Hospital, is one of the country's leading nephrologists and has kindly agreed to take charge of the unit in addition to his other hospital duties. People in the Cavan-Monaghan area, particularly members of the local branch of the Irish Kidney Association and the various fund raising committees of the two counties and members and officials of the health board, are anxious that funding be provided in the 1994 allocation to the North-Eastern Health Board to provide a dialysis service in the new year.
The efforts of the local kidney association ensured the collection of £200,000 towards this worthy health service development and I appeal to the Minister to give this request favourable consideration. The Minister will be aware of the determination of the chief executive officer, officials and members of the North-Eastern Health Board to rationalise and provide a more comprehensive range of health services within the northeast. The establishment of the renal dialysis unit at Cavan General Hospital is an essential and important element of that strategy.
