Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Staines for his presentation and wish him every success in his role. I have two issues I want to check with him. He referred to the development of the Cork centre. What timescale is involved in terms of planning before everything will be in place? My second issue concerns haemochromatosis, to which Deputy Ó Caoláin referred. I met a GP in the Cork area, who had also met the IBTS, regarding the cost of people with haemochromatosis going into hospital and having blood taken which is sent for incineration. I understand the GP concerned has worked with the IBTS about rolling out a service whereby a GP would provide the same service as provided in hospitals, but there seems to be a problem with getting the HSE on board. Can some progress be made on the matter?

I understand funding was sought from UCC to conduct a research project on cutting costs. The cost to provide the service in CUH is approximately €300 per person, whereas GPs could roll it out at a cost of about €100 per visit. Considering whether we could develop that is extremely important. Linking in with the IBTS would deal with the issues raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin.