Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 64: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for dealing with the crisis that currently exists at Mid-Western Regional Hospital where patients in need of dialysis have been turned away due to the fact that the hospital cannot accommodate new patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18001/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Service Executive has informed my Department that the number of patients receiving dialysis treatment at the Limerick Regional Hospital has increased by approximately 20% in the last two years. I understand the dialysis service in Limerick now runs on a seven days a week basis, working at maximum capacity, providing 277 treatments for 99 patients a week. Five patients from the mid-west area are currently receiving their treatment at neighbouring units as an interim measure until dialysis capacity is increased locally. Arrangements are well advanced to provide for increased dialysis capacity in Limerick in the short and medium term. The HSE has invited tenders for the provision of additional dialysis services and is also working with the Irish Kidney Association in an effort to increase capacity locally.

Additional revenue funding of €12 million was provided for the HSE in 2006 and the current year to support the provision of dialysis facilities, the development of a living-related renal donor programme and the implementation of the national renal strategy which is due to be published shortly by the HSE. I understand it will recommend the development of additional consultant-led renal services on a regional basis.

A number of new renal dialysis facilities have opened recently and others are due to open soon. These include: a nine station facility opened in St. Vincent's Hospital in 2006; eight new dialysis stations at Cork University Hospital which are due to open later this summer; and a 17 station unit is being opened as part of the new hospital development at Tullamore which will open at the end of this month. In addition, 155 patients are being treated in dialysis units operated by the private sector, while 15 living donor transplants will take place this year in Beaumont Hospital.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I also wish to add my congratulations and wish you well in your very important role, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Go raibh maith agat.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister comment on the statement by the Irish Kidney Association which she quoted that the situation in the dialysis unit at the Mid-West Regional Hospital in Limerick is appalling? The IKA has blamed the Health Service Executive for the situation that has developed there. Does she agree that the overcrowding in Limerick has been reported and well documented during the years? This inevitable situation which has been highlighted many times to the HSE arose because of a lack of foresight by the HSE. The Minister informed us that she had invited tenders, but does she agree that tendering for dialysis services from the commercial sector — I presume she was referring to that sector — could take up to 18 months to implement? Will she comment on a proposal that the mobile dialysis service in Tullamore should be moved to Limerick when a new hospital dialysis centre is commissioned there in July?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

People frequently talk in terms of crisis and things being desperate in the public health care system. Recently, the chief executive of the Bank of Ireland said some commentaries on the economy might send us into a recession. We need to be careful about the comments we make.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was the Irish Kidney Association.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The fact is that 20% more people are availing of dialysis services at Limerick Regional Hospital than was the case two years ago. There are five patients from the region who cannot be facilitated there, which is why the HSE has gone to tender. The Tullamore unit is still in operation because the move to the new hospital does not take place until later this month. I hope the HSE will be in a position to move the facility to Limerick or wherever it can be put to best use. Since the Irish Kidney Association recommended Limerick, I have no reason to believe that is not the appropriate place for it.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The national renal strategy report was completed in December but has not been published. Why has there been a delay in publishing this important report on renal treatment? Does the Minister agree it is unacceptable that patients must travel from the mid-west area for such treatment? Is it fair to expect them to receive dialysis treatment at night time?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is appropriate to receive dialysis treatment during the working day. Dialysis treatment should be provided as close as possible to where people live. It is not just a once-off treatment because, as we know, people must attend a minimum of three times a week for a long period. Therefore, the treatment should be available as close as possible to where people live. That is what we are trying to do. In the beginning the dialysis service was only available in major population centres.

I understand publication of the strategic review by the HSE is imminent.