Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Wilson for raising this matter on the Adjournment and join with him in his tribute to the staff at Hume Street Hospital. I agree that they have provided a tremendous service down the years and have shown great and exemplary dedication in their work.

The 1988 Comhairle na nOspidéal report on dermatology services supported, as a matter of principle, the concept that dermatology services should be located at and be an integral part of a major general hospital providing a comprehensive range of specialties, including pathology and anaesthesia. It recommended that the services provided at Hume Street Hospital should be transferred to the St. Vincent's Hospital site.

A further Comhairle report on dermatology services published in 2003 fully endorsed this objective and recommended that the 1988 Comhairle recommendation be implemented without further delay. In 2003 a process was initiated by the former Eastern Regional Health Authority to effect the transfer. It has now been agreed between the two hospitals that services will transfer from Hume Street to St. Vincent's University Hospital this summer. A process has been initiated with staff and the unions to facilitate the transfer. It is intended that there will be no disruption to services.