Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

839. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which heart and lung transplants have continued throughout the Covid-19 crisis; the degree to which he foresees the need for changes in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All transplant activity was significantly curtailed due to COVID-19, however the HSE’s Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland (ODTI) worked to ensure that the most time critical and life-saving transplants proceeded based on careful risk-benefit assessment.  The approach pursed was endorsed by the Expert Advisory Group to the National Public Health Emergency Team.  

The Heart & Lung Transplant Programme, Mater Hospital remained active throughout the Covid-19 crisis, however, decisions to proceed with donation and transplant are based on clinical risk-benefit assessments. To the end of August there has been 10 Lung Transplants and 7 Heart transplants carried out in the Mater Hospital.  Of these 5 heart and 7 lung transplants were carried out from March to August. 

Due to the risk Covid-19 presents to transplant patients, reduced service levels are expected to the end of the year. The ODTI is examining ways to sustain the safe provision of transplant services in the context of Covid-19 and Winter surges including the potential to ringfence facilities such as theatres, ICU beds and recovered beds for transplant.