Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2015
146. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the shortage of kidney transplant surgeons; when it is anticipated that the situation will be remedied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4214/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national kidney transplant programme is provided at Beaumont Hospital. In 2014 a total of 192 kidney transplants were carried out, 152 involved deceased donors and 40 were from living donors. Six pancreas transplants were also carried out in Beaumont last year.
Beaumont Hospital is currently facing some challenges in the recruitment of transplant surgeons to fill current vacancies. Highly trained transplant surgeons can be difficult to find and the Hospital continues to carry out an international recruitment campaign for consultant posts.
Meanwhile, my Department and the HSE are working in collaboration with Beaumont Hospital to ensure that measures are put in place to alleviate current pressures and to address the challenges facing the transplant personnel and the hospital management.
