Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
961. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism's recommendation that an eight-bed national centre for patients suffering and living with IF be established at St. James's Hospital at an annual estimated cost of €3.9 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra975. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if, as an interim measure, he will take steps to recommend the immediate establishment of a single dedicated eight-bed national centre for patients living with IF to be located at St. James's Hospital, sufficient to meet the needs of 50% of the national requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra976. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Republic of Ireland is one of the few countries in which its health care system fails to provide a specialist service for IF or HPN patients (details supplied); the steps he will take to remedy this serious situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13984/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 961, 975 and 976 together.
I am aware that a business case for the establishment of a dedicated centre for Intestinal Failure is currently being finalised by St James’s Hospital. St James’s Hospital is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Any proposals for the funding for the centre for Intestinal failure in St. James's will have to be considered as part of the Hospital Group's overall priorities for services across the Group. The business case will need to be submitted to the HSE for consideration as part of the overall 2018 estimates process and with regard to competing priorities for resources available in 2018.
