Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children is such an evocative name. It is one of the primary hospitals in the country for the treatment and care of sick children. Children from all over the country are sent there for medical treatment of various illnesses and conditions. The hospital has long been synonymous with the provision of quality treatment and care. It has enjoyed an excellent reputation and commands great respect.

In view of the cutbacks children will be turned away. That is the reality. Worried parents will be caused more stress and anxiety for a saving of €9 million. With some applied thinking this money could be saved in many ways. The hospital issued a statement yesterday saying it wanted to reassure children and families that all emergencies will be catered for and the hospital will do everything it can to protect the sickest patients. I have no doubt the staff of Crumlin will work conscientiously to ensure this is the case. However, in the same statement the hospital admits that the measures will mean longer waiting times for some children for clinical assessment and non-emergency surgery. Most parents will tell you the most anxious time is awaiting a diagnosis after their GP has become concerned that something is wrong with their child that requires further investigation. Prolonging the wait for assessment and, subsequently, treatment will add greatly to the burden of stress and anxiety.

It is similar for parents of children requiring non-emergency surgery. The condition might not be life threatening but the surgery is required for good reason and delaying it will certainly affect the child's quality of life and health. In some cases, delaying such treatment will mean turning non-emergency situations into emergencies. A total of 25 beds and one operating theatre will remain closed at the hospital. This is a very serious reduction of important services in this hospital.

A four year old little girl named Mollie D'Arcy, the daughter of my cousin, was diagnosed with a major heart defect when she was four weeks old. The quality of the service and the standard of professionalism in that hospital for my family were nothing short of magnificent. Mollie's dad, Nicky, who is my first cousin, spent four months at the hospital. When Mollie was four months old she had a heart transplant. The service was magnificent. To cut it back or change it for money is reprehensible. It should not and cannot happen. I have been fortunate to see the benefit to a member of my family of that good service. To change it is nothing short of appalling.

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