MINISTER for Health Leo Varadkar has insisted that the kidney transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital has not been de-prioritised in any way and is continuing to operate.
The minister was responding to a question from Independent TD Finian McGrath, who expressed concern about the
“delay
? in bringing the programme into operation.
Deputy McGrath said that this would involve the recruitment of transplant surgeons at the hospital, reducing the cost to the State in treating patients on dialysis.
Minister Varadkar explained that at the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the programme – one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes.
“Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in renal transplantation, any vacancies pose a challenge,
? the minister said.
“While every effort is being made to fill the vacancies, adequate surgeons are available to provide transplant services.
?