Written answers

Thursday, 1 June 2006

Department of Health and Children

Organ Donation

5:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has satisfied herself that the level of donor organ retrieval in acute hospitals here is working at optimal levels or if she has some concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21248/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There is a declining trend over recent years in Europe and worldwide in relation to donor numbers, due in part to improved systems in Intensive Care Units which reduce the number of potential donors. It is therefore essential that we examine the practices and procedures within individual hospitals which deal with potential donors to ensure that the potential for organ donation is being maximized.

The National Organ Procurement Service, which is based at Beaumont Hospital, produces an annual report which includes details of the number of donor organs retrieved at the participating hospitals. The 2005 Report shows that organs were retrieved from 76 donors during the year, a reduction on the 2004 figure of 89. A significant number of donations were made at Beaumont Hospital and Cork University Hospital where there are neurosurgical units in place. There was a relatively low level of retrieval at other hospitals.

In the context of seeking to increase the number of donor organs available for transplant, the Health Service Executive was asked by my Department to undertake a review and analysis of the factors that impact on organ procurement and retrieval rates in hospitals around the country. This review has recently commenced and will be completed over the coming months. One of the main issues that is being examined is whether there is potential to increase the level of donor organ retrieval across the acute hospital sector.

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