Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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436. To ask the Minister for Health the circumstances surrounding the closure of the pancreatic-kidney transplant unit in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; the reason a consultant has not been recruited to take over the work of a doctor (details supplied); the arrangements that are in place for the large number of transplant patients attending this clinic and for those on the waiting list for transplants; and when this clinic will be fully functioning again [27692/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital at the end of last year, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Four consultant transplant surgeons remain and the renal transplant programme is continuing. 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. The two hospitals, together with the HSE and my Department, are working in partnership to make arrangements to facilitate the commencement of this work as soon as possible. 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 University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus.

In May Beaumont Hospital wrote to all patients who have received a pancreas transplant, as well as to patients who are on the transplant waiting list.  They have also written to all referring consultants.  At this point all pancreas transplant recipients have been seen by clinicians in Beaumont or have appointments in place.  At these appointments, future pathways of care are being discussed with all patients.

A joint assessment clinic of potential pancreas transplant patients, involving consultants and nurses from both Beaumont and St. Vincent's, will be held on 24th July.