Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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671. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the decision making process undertaken in respect of the announcement to locate the central trauma network’s major trauma centre at the Mater Hospital, Dublin; if this designation process followed the public consultation document issued prior to the decision being made; if he has considered the concerns raised by neurosurgeons at the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital regarding this process and the final decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9112/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Trauma Strategy, A Trauma System for Ireland, published in February 2018, recommended the introduction of an inclusive trauma system, that will be delivered by two regional networks, each with a Major Trauma Centre that is linked to a number of Trauma Units. Services will be networked and co-ordinated along standardised pathways to ensure that the right care is delivered in the right place at the right time.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) undertook a clear and objective process to inform the designation of the Mater Hospital as the MTC for the Central Network, including appointing an Independent Assessment Panel, and a public consultation process.

Following an extremely robust process, the Independent Assessment Panel considered that the Mater Hospital had the most potential to become a MTC in terms of current capacity, specialist services already on site, the potential for expansion and its commitment to the implementation of the Trauma Strategy. The Mater Hospital was designated as the MTC for the Central Trauma Network by Government in April 2021.

The National Office for Trauma Services continues to engage stakeholders in the RCSI Hospital Group, Ireland East Hospital Group, National Neurosurgical Centre (NNC) at Beaumont Hospital and the Mater Hospital regarding the provision of neurosurgical services in the MTC at the Mater Hospital.

The National Office for Trauma Services has advised that a meeting was held in December 2021 between senior clinicians from the Mater Hospital and the NNC at Beaumont Hospital, to develop a clinical model of care for neurotrauma in the MTC. A Clinical Advisory Group has been established to progress an integrated model of care for neurotrauma / neurocritical care services for the MTC, involving collaboration between the MTC at the Mater Hospital and the NNC at Beaumont Hospital. The National Office for Trauma Services has advised that this development has been approved by the Trauma System Implementation Programme Steering Group.