Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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770. To ask the Minister for Health the number of pancreas transplant surgeons operating in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; and his view on the operation of transplants procedures in this area [21848/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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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. Four consultant transplant surgeons remain. 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 the two 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.