Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Health if submissions have been made to the Health Service Executive from Saint James's Hospital in Dublin 8; and from Tallaght Hospital in Dubiln 24, to have these hospitals set up as a regional trauma centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department, in consultation with the Health Service Executive, is developing a Policy on a Trauma Network for Ireland. This is to ensure that people who have suffered traumatic injury have quicker access to the services best able to meet their specialised, and often multiple, needs. The international experience of establishing trauma networks has demonstrated better outcomes in terms of survival and disability. A Steering Group, which I appointed, is currently in the process of developing this policy.

One of the critical success factors in developing the policy and implementing a trauma network for Ireland will be the extent of consultation, communication and consensus building with key stakeholders throughout the process. The Steering Group is being assisted by 5 Working Groups, a public consultation process has recently concluded and consultation sessions with key stakeholders will be taking place in the coming months.

In relation to your specific query in relation to submissions made to the HSE, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.