Cutbacks set to delay transplant units

HOSPITAL cutbacks are likely to delay the availability of life-saving heart and lung transplants in Ireland.

While the money needed to establish the transplant unit at Dublin’s Mater Hospital has been provided, the hospital is finding it difficult to deliver an acute hospital service because of budget shortfalls.

“It won’t stop the project going ahead, because the funding is already there, but the difficulties being experienced by the hospital are likely to impact on how quickly we get going,” said Mr Freddie Wood, the cardio-thoracic surgeon heading up the project.