A Dublin hospital has been told that children awaiting urology surgery must be treated there or elsewhere and should not be left on a waiting list.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority has told Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin that 20 children on the waiting list should be given speedy treatment in line with their parents' expectations.
The Irish Times understands that some children may be sent abroad for treatment.
Urology services for children include treating urinary tract infections, structural abnormalities of the genito-urinary organs (usually congenital) and obstructions.
These services are provided at Our Lady's in Crumlin, the National Children's Hospital in Temple Street, and at Tallaght General Hospital. In 1998, Comhairle na nOspideal recommended that the surgical service be provided exclusively by Our Lady's. This was not acceptable to the other hospitals and is the subject of discussions involving the ERHA.
In the meantime, Comhairle na nOspideal has provided temporary approval for a post of general paediatric surgeon at Our Lady's. Some 20 children are on the waiting list for urological surgery there.
The ERHA is understood to have told Our Lady's in January that families should be told when their child would be treated or at least that the waiting list was being dealt with and that their child would be reached as soon as possible.
Our Lady's was invited to comment but did not do so.
pomorain@irish-times.ie