Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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107. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the transfer of pancreas transplant services from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, to St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16967/15]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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108. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time the transfer of pancreas transplant services from Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, to St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4, is expected to take; the plan in place for the treatment of patients in the interim and until the move is fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16968/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.

At the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, the filling of any vacancies poses a challenge. Every effort is currently being made to fill these vacancies.

Beaumont Hospital is collaborating with St Vincent’s University Hospital in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants, as well as the development of an intra-abdominal organ retrieval service. It is proposed that pancreatic transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, will move to St Vincent’s University Hospital this year. While the transfer of such transplants to St Vincent’s has been agreed in principle, it will take some time to make the detailed arrangements to facilitate the commencement of this work. Most pancreas transplants are combined with a kidney transplant. The arrangements being put in place for such cases will involve transplant surgeons from both St Vincent’s Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus.

The 9 patients who are on the waiting list for a pancreas transplant are being contacted to reassure them that the pancreatic transplantation programme will continue.