Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
43. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the future of trauma care here; the position regarding the decision for level 1 trauma centres for Cork and Dublin; and when a decision on the location for Dublin will be made [20836/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Trauma Steering Group was approved by Government in February 2018. An interim implementation group has been established by the HSE, as recommended in the report, and is progressing the four immediate actions (recruitment of National Clinical Lead, orthopaedic bypass protocols, selection of Major Trauma Centre for Dublin, and detailed implementation planning).
The report, A Trauma System for Ireland, recommends the introduction of an inclusive trauma system for Ireland with one Major Trauma Centre to be based in Dublin servicing the Central Trauma Network, and another to be based in Cork University Hospital servicing the South Trauma Network. Each of these Major Trauma Centres will be linked to a number of Trauma Units. The Report provided that the HSE should designate Cork University Hospital as the Major Trauma Centre for the South Trauma Network, contingent on it meeting the recommended designation criteria. This will require an enhancement of some specialties before Cork University Hospital can be formally designated as a Major Trauma Centre.
In order to progress the designation of the Major Trauma Centre for the Central Trauma Network and the Dublin Trauma Unit(s), a consultation on the service specifications and the approach and process for designation took place between 21 December and 14 February 2019.
The findings of the public consultation have been analysed and it is expected that the formal designation process will commence in May 2019 with each of the Dublin Hospital Groups (Ireland East Hospital Group, Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and RCSI Hospital Group) invited to make submissions for hospitals within their Group to be designated as the Major Trauma Centre or as a Trauma Unit for the Central Trauma Network.
An Independent Assessment Panel comprised of local and international experts will review and score the written proposals in line with the service specifications and assessment criteria, will conduct site visits to the hospital sites and will meet with Hospital Group management and other key representatives as part of the assessment process. It is expected that a final recommendation to the Department will be made in the Autumn.
