This is a very challenging year given the extreme financial pressures we face as a country. However, all services must live within their allocated budget. The HSE has taken steps to provide as high a level of protection as possible for the funding of the children's hospitals. The budget adjustment to Children's University Hospital, Temple Street was significantly less than the average in the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Service Plan 2012. HSE management are in discussions with CUH Temple Street towards agreeing a cost containment plan and will meet with CUH Temple Street next week to further discuss the plan.
The HSE Service Plan for 2012 has set a target for children's hospitals which requires that no child should be waiting for treatment for more than 20 weeks by the end 2012. The hospital is actively engaged with the HSE, the SDU and the NTPF to ensure that this target is met. The Paediatric Hospitals work together as a unified network under the leadership of the Clinical Director to ensure optimisation of resources and facilities. The Paediatric Hospitals remain cognisant at all times of the challenges facing their young patients and of the need to support families. The HSE will continue to work with the children's hospitals to ensure that all patients receive appropriate care and that all emergencies are dealt with immediately. The HSE will also continue to monitor activity to ensure the optimum use of theatre resources and facilities.
I have emphasised the need to ensure that the impact of any changes to patients is minimised and that all changes are fully communicated. All measures will be reviewed regularly to ensure the least impact on patients and service users. Patient Safety remains my first priority.