Sir, – Paul Cullen’s assertion (Opinion, November 6th) that “newborns are transported in a hazardous fashion” to one of Dublin’s children’s hospitals is incorrect.
Newborn transport is at a very sophisticated level in Ireland. The National Neonatal Transport Programme (NNTP) has been in existence for 10 years, well ahead of many other countries in Europe. The programme consists of trained specialised neonatal registrars, neonatal nurses and clinical engineers who operate from the three Dublin maternity hospitals. The day to day operation is supervised by a national nurse transport co-ordinator and by a consultant neonatologist. The transports are undertaken by dedicated neonatal ambulances and ambulance staff.
In the case of urgent or long distance transfers the Army Air Corps can be employed. The helicopters are equipped to take transport incubators. The programme reports to the National Neonatal Transport Programme Committee. The NNTP team retrieve critically ill newborns from all 19 neonatal units across the State.
The programme has to date transported close to 4,000 sick newborns. Currently the programme operates from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. The programme maintains a daily census of intensive care cots system across all tertiary hospital in place so the sick newborn can be rapidly assigned to an appropriate place. The programme is greatly appreciated by both the families of sick newborn infants and their referring paediatricians. The programme is about to be extended to a 24/7 this month and an additional full-time consultant neonatologist has been appointed to oversee and organise the service. This will further enhance the efficacy of a programme that has been effective and life-saving for many infants.
The achievements of the NNTP will be marked at a symposium on November 15th at the College of Anaesthesia which coincides with World Prematurity Day. The meeting is being opened by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
The national neonatal transport programme is a jewel in the crown of Irish neonatal care. Many medical groups have come from other countries to observe how our neonatal transport system functions. The HSE has been singularly supportive of this service and has clearly recognised its importance.
At a time of great financial restraints it has done its utmost to provide resources to expand this service and we are extremely grateful for its efforts. We wish to reassure parents of sick newborns that there is an effective, safe transport system in Ireland for sick newborn infants. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN F MURPHY,
National Clinical Lead in
Neonatology & Dr ANNE
TWOMEY, Consultant
Neonatologist & Director of
the National Neonatal
Transport Programme,
Department of Neonatology,
National Maternity Hospital,
Holles Street, Dublin 2.