Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and wish him well in his new role. The City of Dublin Skin and Cancer Hospital, commonly know as Hume Street Hospital, was founded in 1911 for the purpose of providing for the treatment of diseases of the skin, cancer, kidney, bladder and other disorders and diseases of associated organs. Following the tradition of the voluntary hospitals of the 18th and 19th century, it was funded by voluntary contributions, overseen by a board of governors. In 1916 the hospital was granted a royal charter by King George V. The inspiration behind the formation of the hospital came largely from the late Dr. Andrew Charles, who founded the hospital with a number of other doctors, including his brother Frank. Dr. Charles devoted the greater part of his life to the progress and welfare of the hospital and was succeeded by his son, Havelock Charles. The Charles name has continued to be associated with the hospital to the present day. The hospital pioneered cancer treatment in Ireland.

Since 1985 the hospital has specialised solely in dermatology treatment when Ireland's first five-day inpatient ward and the first psoriasis day care unit were established. This cost effective, patient-oriented dermatology initiative ensured the hospital's viability. With its long tradition spanning 95 years of care and service development, Hume Street Hospital is now recognised worldwide as a specialist referral centre. It is the only hospital in the country totally devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. Its city centre location makes it accessible to patients from both north and south of the city, as well as from other areas throughout the country. Approximately 25,000 people are treated at the hospital annually.

lnpatient treatment was provided Monday to Friday in public wards and private patient rooms. The outpatient service provides dermatology clinics for psoriasis, oral medicine and leg ulcer management. The day care centre offers treatment for psoriasis and eczema to patients whose condition cannot be satisfactorily treated in the outpatients' clinic or who do not require admission to hospital as inpatients.

Since 31 August 2005, the inpatient ward, consisting of 31 beds, has been closed, allegedly for insurance reasons. The outpatient and day care units are still operating but an air of uncertainty hangs over their future in their present location. The staff understand that the entire operation is to be transferred to St. Vincent's Hospital, although no inpatient beds are planned. Hundreds of people are suffering from severe psoriasis and eczema conditions who need to be hospitalised from time to time, who now have nowhere to go and who will have to queue in accident and emergency units in order to gain access to a general hospital which does not have the specialist facilities that are available in Hume Street Hospital. It is now more difficult for these people to receive treatment and get some relief from their condition. It is not acceptable that people with severe skin problems are being treated like second-class citizens. Beds must be made available for those who need them and the nursing expertise must be kept together and not allowed to disperse all over the country.

I pay tribute to the staff of Hume Street Hospital, Sister Mary Duggan and Sister Maura Wrynne of the inpatient section, Sister Carmel Blake and Sister Nora Treacy of the outpatient and day care centre and the two consultants, Dr. Paul Collins and Dr. Sarah Rodgers, who provide life-saving treatment to people who suffer with severe forms of psoriasis and eczema. The patients and staff of Hume Street Hospital want to know what the future will hold for them. They do not know if the hospital will remain open from week to week. This is not a satisfactory way of treating the staff or patients of the hospital.