Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. I know he is taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. Clearly we would have preferred to have him here to deal with it but the Minister of State is an able replacement, to be fair. I raised this matter in February 2023. There are hundreds of people in County Clare, from Loop Head to east Clare to north Clare and in Ennis and Shannon. Some travel from east Clare to Galway for dialysis while some travel from north Clare travel to Limerick. Dialysis is three to four days per week. If someone is going from Carran in County Clare to Limerick, we are talking about an hour and a half to two hours travelling, then four or five hours dialysis, and then another two hours to get home three or four days per week. The HSE provides taxis and transport to bring these people for their dialysis, either in Limerick or Galway. It makes absolute sense that a dialysis unit should be based in Ennis. It would transform the quality of life of hundreds of people in County Clare.

When I raised this before, it got some media coverage. I was struck by the number of people who contacted me to say they were on dialysis. Even for people in Ennis, who are using private transport to go to Limerick, if there was a unit in Ennis, it would make such a difference. When I raised this Commencement matter previously I was told a tender process was taking place but nothing has been heard since. We need the location and the date as to when this unit will open because for people on dialysis, every day they travel they think about how their lives can improve. It is not just them but their families are thinking about how their lives can improve. If you had a mother or father travelling for long journeys like that three or four days per week, of course you would be concerned and worried about them and would want to see more localised services.

This Government has provided a huge amount of resources for primary care. We have a beautiful primary centre in Ennis, which opened late last year. We have identified primary care centres for other parts of the county. This is a service that should be in primary care. There should be a dialysis unit in every county in the country because thousands of people require it. I am interested in finding out when the people of County Clare will see their dialysis unit opened in Ennis.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue, no more so for those who are in need of dialysis in County Clare. I am giving this response on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who unfortunately cannot be here, for what continues to be a very important issue for the people of Clare and the mid-west.

First, I would like to reassure the Senator that the Government remains fully committed to improving patient services and ensuring patient-centred care across the country. That commitment can be seen through the unprecedented level of new resources that we have provided to the HSE over the last three years. This has involved significant investment in the mid-west region. That includes Ennis Hospital and University Hospital Limerick, the annual budget for which has increased by more than 45% since 2019. This investment is benefiting a huge number of patients accessing care and will ensure hospitals can continue to develop the services they provide.

With regard to haemodialysis services in the region, the University of Limerick Hospital Group has advised that patients from County Clare currently receive care either in University Hospital Limerick or in the hospital’s satellite centre, which is located on the Dock Road in Limerick city. This additional, externally contracted satellite haemodialysis service in Ennis has been proposed by the hospital group. The National Renal Office confirmed a 66% increase in demand for this service in the region between 2010 and 2020. It is proposed that this externally contracted unit will serve patients from County Clare closer to home, addressing the issue raised by the Senator. There is no doubt that it is a quality of life issue. It is estimated that this unit will treat 30 patients per year for the first five years. This proposal aligns with the national strategy for the provision of renal services. Provision of care in the community is also consistent with the goals of Sláintecare.

The HSE initiated the process to tender for the provision of this unit last year. I know the Minister continues to work closely with the HSE to ensure the University of Limerick Hospital Group is fully supported in the delivery of health care services for the region. Again, I thank Senator Conway for raising this really important matter.

Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The reply is positive but lacks one very important thing and that is timelines. What I need is dates.I am aware the role has been advertised externally and that there is interest in it. I am also aware there is a facility where the unit can be housed but we need dates. When can we expect this to happen?

I am a little concerned the unit will support only 30 people. Many more than 30 in County Clare must travel long distances for dialysis. Perhaps the Minister of State will relay that to the Minister also. Perhaps there is a misprint in the reply. I realise the Minister of State is just reading it on the Minister's behalf. I assume that many more than 30 will be accommodated in the facility.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That was the information in the reply given to me. Unfortunately, the response does not contain clear timelines. With any matters such as these, there is the potential, through statutory processes, for delays. It can be hard to earmark exact timelines but I reiterate that the Government remains fully committed to improving health services. We have demonstrated that commitment with strong investment in the mid-west and, indeed, throughout the entire country.

As I noted in my opening remarks, UL Hospitals Group has made progress recently in seeking to develop its dialysis services and expand them to Ennis. This would be a welcome development. It is vital we provide services closer to people's homes. Community-based services can and do have a significant impact on patients' experiences.

This is a project that has been led by the HSE to drive improvements to the services that are already being provided. The procurement process is being managed in line with HSE guidelines. I have advised the House of the updates the HSE has provided on the process so far. The Minister and Department will continue to seek updates on progress. We continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure it is providing a quality service for all the people of the mid-west.