Dáil debates
Thursday, 29 February 2024
Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed)
Health Services
10:00 am
Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
10. To ask the Minister for Health if he will grant funding for a satellite haemodialysis unit at Ennis hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9592/24]
Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Can the Minister provide an update on the establishment of a haemodialysis unit in Ennis hospital and when he expects works to begin?
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am afraid this will be a very short interaction on my side; I apologise. I looked into this in detail and asked the HSE to come back with more but at the moment all I can tell the Deputy is that there is a proposal, as of course she will be aware, for an externally contracted satellite haemodialysis unit for Ennis. It is under review and that is really all I have. I am sorry; I am not trying to avoid the question at all. The answer at this point is short. It is under review, it is being looked at. There is no new development funding in the budget for it. It would be a new project. It is not something that was flagged back in September.
It would be of great benefit to patients. We have talked about the trip from Clare to Limerick, particularly for those in north Clare. It is quite the trip for anyone who is undergoing dialysis. We are looking at it. It is the kind of measure that fits very well with our push for universal healthcare, Sláintecare, and making sure people can get the treatment that they need either at home, with home dialysis becoming an increasingly common service, or in their local hospital. In this case it is in the model 4 hospital and I fully accept that, particularly for north Clare, it really is quite the trip into University Hospital Limerick, UHL. I cannot say anymore on the review other than that I think it is a good idea. It would be good for the people of Clare to have this and it would be good for Ennis hospital. Ideally we would not contract the services in. We would have them within the HSE as publicly provided services but, even as temporary measures, these services can sometimes provide a lot of benefit for patients.
Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It definitely would, for north Clare and west Clare specifically because of the geography and the distance patients have to travel. Most often, the treatment requires three trips per week so it is a significant stress on my constituents. For those who cannot drive or do not have access to their own transport, it is a significant distress that they face on a weekly basis. That is something they do not want to face when they are already dealing with a healthcare issue. I know the Minister appreciates that. He has stated that the funding was not made available in the budget and it was not flagged last September. I would be interested if he could provide a little bit more detail as to what may have occurred. People being forced to work out how they are going to travel is an undue distress. Huge amounts are also being spent on transporting patients throughout the mid-west. For example, in 2021, €1.6 million spent.
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I can certainly look into the timing of when this was initially flagged locally. All I can tell the Deputy is that it was not part of the considerations for new development funding for this year. However, it is a good idea. It would make a big difference for west Clare as well as north Clare, as she quite rightly said. I have witnessed the impact of home dialysis.
We all know people, as the Deputy said, who are going for dialysis three times a week and it is a significant burden on them. If we can provide more local services, we should do so and we should fund them. Should they be funded, it would typically form part of the Estimates process and part of the conversations coming into July and August this year.
10:10 am
Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I take this opportunity to commend the great work of the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association in supporting thousands of patients and their families since its foundation in 1989. Its work on campaigning and advocacy is owed a lion's share of gratitude for the development of the unit, which will be a terrific asset to Ennis hospital as we look to build capacity and increase services provided in the county. The Minister mentioned the funding issue, but a recent response to a parliamentary question by the acting CEO of the UL Hospitals Group mentioned that HSE board approval is required. Can the Minister shed some light on that, including how long such approval usually takes?
I have mentioned those who do not have access to their own transport. Currently, given the public transport system in west and north Clare I spoke about earlier, it is not possible to get to an appointment at UHL and back home within a reasonable timeframe.
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am not aware of the HSE board approval requirement. It is a clinical service and the HSE board agrees the national service plan. Any capital investment above €10,000 has to go to the board, but that is not what this is, so I am not sure what approval is being referred to.
I join the Deputy's acknowledgement of the Irish Kidney Association and many other organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation.
We had a lovely milestone yesterday. The President signed the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2022 into law, which was lovely to see. It will make a huge difference. We will have a country where people will have a default opt-out of organ donation. Hundreds of families and individuals, including a friend of mine, are waiting for organ donation. We are investing further in the area, which I announced last week. The human tissue Act will make a big difference and I hope we can bring this matter from strength to strength so the people we are talking about who are on dialysis can get what they ultimately need, which is a healthy kidney.