Vol. 512 No. 4
138 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to appoint a full-time consultant nephrologist for the Sligo and Leitrim areas in view of the fact that a full-time consultant would facilitate the development of more comprehensive services and choices for renal patients; if this appointment will be made as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/99]
On the occasion of the publication of the spending estimates for 2000, I announced the allocation of £3 million revenue funding and £3 million capital funding next year for the commencement of a programme for the development of renal dialysis services. This programme, which I would hope to see completed over three years at an estimated total cost of £20 million will be aimed at achieving a structured enhancement of the capacity of the system to meet existing and anticipated growth in demand for renal services over the coming years.
In particular, it is intended to: address existing infrastructural constraints that are limiting the ability of certain haemodialysis centres to meet demands for access to their services; ensure that regional dialysis centres are adequately resourced to give patients access to services close to their own home; provide for the availability of a consultant nephrology service in all regions with a view to widening the availability of alternative dialysis treatment programmes – such as CAPD and CCPD – for optimal and equitable individual patient choice and address wider health and social needs of the renal population through supporting the Irish Kidney Association in its development of targeted programmes in these areas.
The deployment of the £3 million revenue and £3 million capital that is being made available in 2000 will be primarily directed at addressing immediate requirements that are apparent from my Department's review of services in the area. In tandem with this, my Department will be engaging in further detailed consultations with all relevant interests and further examining the epidemiology of end-stage renal failure with a view to informing the most effective means of investing the further resources that will be made available in 2001 and 2002. Immediate requirements for the improvement of services for renal patients in the North Western Health Board will be taken into account in this overall context.
