Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am assuming we will get another round if we have time because I have quite a few questions. I will get to them very quickly. I thank the witnesses for attending. I know the issue of mesh implants was mentioned in the Minister's statement. I echo the constructive engagement we have had and the progress that has been made but I would like to see a date for when the medical cards will be issued and access to the translabial scanner will be officially available. We know that it is coming and the engagement has been extremely constructive but at this stage, if the women could get some firm dates, it would be very helpful. It might be more appropriate to correspond with me on that. I have no difficulty with that.

The next issue is the departure of Dr. Kevin McCarthy from the children's chronic pain clinic at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Hospital. This issue has been covered fairly extensively in the media but has also been raised directly with me by constituents. Dr. McCarthy does an extremely important job. He provides pain relief to children. I do not know how he does it. I am being told is that there has been no formal communication to date with parents. When I say I am being told this, what I mean is that I am being told that by parents whose children are under the care of Dr. McCarthy. I know that the consultant group at Children's Health Ireland has written to senior management. It is asking a number of questions that I want to put here The questions relate to an immediate clarification of how Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin plans to deliver a pain service once Dr. McCarthy has left. There does not seem to be a plan. When I say there has been no formal communication with parents, what I mean is that nobody has sat in a room and told parents how pain management for their children will be dealt with the consultant departs. I am seeking an assurance that the reason for Dr. McCarthy's departure will be addressed, including the lack of funding. He was very clear and explicit as to why he was leaving. He cited the lack of funding and provision of support services required for the safe running of a multidisciplinary pain management team. Obviously, reassurance is being sought that the families of affected patients will be informed formally. Obviously, these families all know because it has been in the media but they have not received formal notification that the pain consultant will be departing and, more importantly, nobody has told them what the care pathway for their children will be. These are children who suffer really severe pain and if they are under the care of Dr. McCarthy, as the Minister well knows, notwithstanding all the facts, they are children who have been on a waiting list because a person does not get to see a consultant overnight. He or she must wait so these children have waited a long time and are now under the care of a consultant but that consultant is departing and there appears to be no care plan in place.