Merger Move: The impetus for a merger between two of Dublin's major hospitals, St James's and the Adelaide, Meath and National Children's Hospital at Tallaght, has come from the board of the Tallaght hospital, The Irish Times has learned.
It is understood that the president of the Board of Tallaght Hospital, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neill, discussed the matter with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, some months ago.
While discussions took place in the context of the archbishop's regular meetings with Mr Ahern, it is seen as significant that the wishes of the Tallaght board were communicated to the Government in this way.
It is likely Mr Ahern was approached in the context of commitments made by the Government under the charter entered into when the Adelaide, Meath and National Children's hospitals amalgamated to form the new hospital in west Dublin. The Tallaght charter is designed to protect a Protestant ethos and the healthcare needs of a pluralist faith.
Reliable sources have confirmed, contrary to initial media reports, the discussions pre-dated publication of the Hollywood report on the future of the State's radiotherapy services. Sources said that while a link-up between St James's and Tallaght would strengthen a bid for a new south-side "supra-regional" cancer centre - as recommended by Hollywood - this would only be one of many "synergies" which would flow from a future merger.
Following "positive feedback" from Mr Ahern, the Tallaght hospital board entered into negotiations with its counterpart at St James's. It is believed high level discussions have also been held with TCD, which has a major clinical sciences presence on the campus of both hospitals. The Department of Health was kept informed of the proposal.
Last night, a spokeswoman for the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said that "the Department have been informally made aware of these plans. We are awaiting a formal proposal from the boards of the hospitals."
Medical sources in Tallaght have expressed a guarded welcome to the merger proposal. It is due to be discussed this week at a meeting of the hospital's medical board. The Irish Times understands there is a strong feeling at consultant level that radiation oncology facilities be located at Tallaght in any joint proposal to be put forward to the Hollywood implementation group.
Mr Conor Lenihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin West, which includes Tallaght, said yesterday that "there should be no downgrading of Tallaght in favour of St James's Hospital".
Sources close to the Tallaght board said its initiative is driven by the realities of the Hanly report into the future of hospital services. "We are anxious to respond seriously to problems in the health service," a source said, adding that any merger must take place on an equitable basis.