Print PageMinister Reilly Announces Investment into the National Transplant Programme and Expansion of the Living Donor Programme
Monday June 10, 2013
~ €8.5m investment to expand Renal Transplant programme ~
~ €6m investment in outpatient Renal Dialysis Unit ~
~ Expansion will see savings of approx. €250 million over a 10 year period ~
~Expansion to lead first active collaboration under Dublin North Hospital Group banner~
Dr. James Reilly TD, Minister for Health today (Monday, 10th June, 2013) announced an investment of €14.5million and the creation of 30 new jobs as part of a phased expansion of the renal care facilities at Dublin’s Beaumont and Connolly Hospitals.
The investment includes €8.5m on the expansion of the living donor transplant programme including the equipping of an existing operating, refurbishment of the transplant ward and development of laboratory facilities to accommodate the expansion. This is a major step towards achieving the aim of the annual performance of 250 kidney transplants from both deceased and live donor transplant programmes.
Minister Reilly also confirmed an added investment of €6m in a new, 34 stationed, outpatient Renal Dialysis Unit, increasing the number of dialysis stations to allow for elimination of routine dialysis treatments after midnight and before 6am.
The expansion of the National Transplant Programme will result in a reduction of waiting list times and a reduction of the need for long term dialysis. This will accrue savings of approximately €250 million over a 10 year period.
In conjunction with the announcement, Beaumont Hospital has also launched a new website, www.beaumontkidneycenter.ie, where potential living kidney donors and recipients can start the process of living donor evaluation.
In addition to the redevelopment of facilities at Beaumont, the investment incorporates further development of Urology services at Connolly Hospital. This will enable the two hospitals to prioritise and plan the deployment of resources on a shared basis. This is a prime example of how the recently announced Hospital Groups framework can enable two major hospitals to work together to achieve improved health outcomes for patients in a region.
Dr. James Reilly TD, Minister for Health said: “The investment into the National Transplant Programme and expansion of the living donor programme is a great example of how resources can be focused in a targeted way to ensure that we are not only responding to public needs, but that we are doing so in an integrated, efficient and cost effective manner to achieve maximum output. This is entirely in keeping with Government plans for the overall reform of the health service in Ireland as outlined in the Programme for Government.”
Professor Peter Conlon, Consultant Nephrologist, Beaumont Hospital today said: “We are delighted to have successfully secured funding for the development of the national renal transplant programme in Beaumont Hospital. Increasing transplants to 250 per year is a major step forward in transforming the treatment of kidney failure in Ireland. We are constantly striving to provide the best care and service in a safe environment for our patients and the Living Donor Programme can offer patients a second chance at living a healthy and happy life. Kidney transplantation provides the best quality of life for patients with kidney failure, more than doubles their life expectancy compared to remaining on dialysis and in the process, each kidney transplant saves the state in excess of €750 thousand euros over the life time of the transplant.”
Beaumont Hospital has performed close to 4,000 kidney transplants over the last 40 years. In 2012, the transplant unit in Beaumont Hospital achieved 163 kidney transplants.