Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
651. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised by doctors in Temple Street (details supplied); the steps he is taking to address these concerns; if a review will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21811/24]
View answerThe neonatology service in CHI looks after newborns with surgical or complex medical needs. Young babies are transferred to CHI from neonatal units throughout the country and on admission through the Emergency Department. The service includes special care, high-dependency care, and intensive care. High-dependency care is for babies who have additional needs compared to those in special care. Intensive care is reserved for babies with particular needs such as ventilator support.
There are Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at the Coombe Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, and Cork University Hospital. There are regional NICUs at University Limerick Hospital and University Galway Hospital.
In 2022, CHI opened a new high dependency neonatal unit in CHI at Crumlin, as part of its plan to develop a new and highly specialised Neonatal Intensive care unit (NICU) in the new children’s hospital. The service includes six neonatal high dependency beds for babies with additional care needs. Together with six well-established neonatal high dependency beds in Temple Street, this provides specialised cots for a particularly vulnerable group of patients.
Funding for an additional 26.5 staff was provided for in 2023 for the neonatology service, with a full year cost of €2.6 million. This was to enhance the service in preparation for the establishment of the NICU in the new children’s hospital. These posts include consultant neonatologists, nurse practitioners, staff nurses, and other clinical staff.
The Government is committed to seeing the world-class New Children's Hospital open as soon as possible and everything is being done to get it completed as soon as possible.
