Patients to meet over Beaumont transplant changes

Patients on the waiting list for kidney and pancreas transplants are to meet in Dublin today to voice concerns over changes to the transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital.

Vulnerable transplant patients have been told they must go to overcrowded emergency departments for urgent care following the closure of a specialised outpatient clinic in the hospital.

No pancreas transplants have been carried out this year since the retirement of transplant surgeon David Hickey and this work is being transferred to St Vincent's hospital.

Patients who have organised the meeting said they wanted to discuss the failure of the HSE to provide essential treatment and clear procedures since the closure of some services in Beaumont.

‘Appalling’

Mr Hickey, who will address the meeting, said the closure of the Beaumont pancreas transplant programme had greatly upset patients and those requiring post-transplant care.

“The manner in which the programme at Beaumont was closed has caused great distress to patients who are on a waiting list and those who have a functioning pancreas transplant. The lack of information and direction for those with functioning pancreata and the failure to organise treatment overseas for those abandoned on the so-called waiting list is appalling.”

Mr Hickey, who spent most of his working life at Beaumont, accused the hospital of a “callous disregard” of the needs of patients who required combined kidney and pancreas transplants, which significantly prolong and improve the quality of life of affected patients.

Beaumont said it had agreed with St Vincent’s to develop a “collaborative approach” to pancreas transplants. This would begin with joint assessment clinics in Beaumont at the end of July.

The hospital had communications with previous transplant patients and those on the waiting list, according to a spokesman.

“Decisions regarding ongoing care will be discussed with the patients. Where required, patients will be referred to either a Beaumont Hospital clinician or their referring clinician for the most appropriate post-transplant care.”

The hospital was unable to say when pancreas transplants would resume.