'Beaumont addressing brain care issues'

Dublin's Beaumont Hospital has said it requires additional resources in neurosurgery and neurology to meet the needs of the communities it serves in a timely manner, and that it is endeavouring to deal with its capacity issues.

The hospital was responding to concerns expressed by a consultant neurologist to irishhealth.com about delays in transferring patients from other hospitals to specialist neurology and neurosurgery services at Beaumont.

The hospital told irishhealth.com that last week a total of 39 neuromedical patients were admitted to Beaumont.

This comprised 18 transfers from other hospitals and 21 through the emergency department.

There were 31 neurosurgical cases admitted to Beaumont last week, primarily transfers from other hospitals.

"Neither the rate of admissions nor the number of patients awaiting transfer to Beaumont from other hospitals has diverged in recent weeks from what is normal", the hospital said. 

It said it has consistently stated that it needs additional resources in neurosurgery and neurology to meet the needs of the communities it serves in a timely manner. 

A spokesman said investments are being made, with HSE funding, to expand these services and this includes the commissioning of an additional surgical theatre later this year and the appointment of a fourth neurologist, who has recently started work at the hospital. 

Beaumont said patients in neurosurgery and neurology will usually be managed in a referring hospital by consultants working in cooperation with Beaumont. 

"Patients in need of interventions in Beaumont, including referrals from other hospitals, are admitted on the basis of priority of need." 

The hospital said it was continuing to discuss with the HSE ways in which constraints to capacity can be addressed.

[Posted: Wed 12/09/2007]