Question to the Minister for Health (Leo Varadkar, TD)
To ask the Minister for Health if laboratory genetic services have been provided for in the plans for the new national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN ANSWER on Tuesday, 20 January 2015.
REPLY
The new children’s hospital will be co-located with St James’s Hospital, and ultimately tri-located with a maternity hospital to be developed on campus. In addition to the main hospital, the project includes two satellite centres at the campuses of Tallaght and Connolly Hospitals. The paediatric clinical genetics service is included in the new children’s hospital, and children and, if required, their families will be provided with care and treatment on their genetic conditions. It is expected that adult patients, such as referrals from cancer or adult cardiology will access adult genetic services on the campus. Laboratory genetics services, which support both adult and paediatric services, will be provided separately to the new children’s hospital building and options for the provision of these services are being considered by the HSE.