Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Barry mentioned the managed equipment service. Clinicians I have spoken to are very worried about the fact that this has been dropped. Their point is that around the world it is best practice to have managed equipment services. For example, in our children's hospitals in Dublin at the moment, some of the most important diagnostic machines such as MRI machines were meant to be decommissioned years ago. The magnets, for example, are way beyond their use. The current position is that when - and I am told is "when" rather than "if" - these machines go, there will be no replacement for them. This is a high-risk way of running a health system. The solution to this in other countries, which was meant to be used in the children's hospital, is a managed equipment contract. Our children would be diagnosed by our clinicians using the most up-to-date equipment, which is refreshed and renewed so that the best possible technology and medical care can be advanced. I appreciate that there may be a cost saving in moving back to the old way of working. Is it not the case that this introduces a significant medical risk and that we will end up in the worst conceivable position because we have paid so much for a fancy building that may be beautiful but due to its design is expensive, and as a result, the medical services provided in the building will be reduced?