New Tests: Temple Street Children's University Hospital in Dublin has received €7,000 towards the commissioning of the hospital's new Tandem Mass Spectrometer.
The spectrometer, the first of its kind in Ireland, will significantly improve testing for metabolic disorders among young infants and will help to dramatically improve early detection and successful treatment of such disorders. In addition, the equipment will help in the monitoring of renal transplant patients.
The donation has come from HSA Healthcare, the provider of everyday health plans in Britain and Ireland, who said it was part of its commitment to contributing an annual portion of earnings to medical-related charities.
Dr Charlie O'Neill of Temple Street Children's University Hospital said: "The investment in this new equipment will have a positive impact on the lives of many at-risk infants. It will allow us to reduce our turnaround time for vital in-house tests, which we are currently compelled to send abroad, enabling quicker diagnosis and earlier treatment for our patients."
Mr Kevin Kinsella, national manager of HSA Healthcare, said the company was delighted to support the work of Temple Street Hospital and to play a part in improving the medical services available to Irish infants at risk. "We recognise the importance of early detection of illnesses," he said.
Research showed the provision of everyday health cover significantly improves early detection rates, allowing for healthier kids and happier parents, said Mr Kinsella.
On the general issue of healthcare cover, health inflation in Ireland was currently running at over 11 per cent and many parents with young families were struggling to deal with these price increases, he added.
Research carried out by HSA Ireland indicated that everyday health costs were impacting on consumers; 56 per cent of claims paid out by HSA in 2003 were for GP visits and prescription fees. A total of 11 per cent of claims were made for dental treatment, while 8.9 per cent of customers made claims for consultants' fees.
"Affordable and high quality healthcare should be attainable for all. Unfortunately this is not always the case in Ireland as healthcare products and policies are becoming less accessible," Kinsella claimed.
