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	Thirty children with respiratory and heart defects have been sent abroad for life-saving treatment over the past five years, despite the technology being available in Ireland.</p>
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	Figures obtained by RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Morning Ireland show the Health Service Executive spent nearly &euro;6m getting what is known as ECMO treatment for children in Sweden and the UK.</p>
<p>
	An ECMO machine provides life-saving treatment for children with heart and respiratory problems.</p>
<p>
	Our Lady&#39;s Children&#39;s Hospital, Crumlin, has three of the machines, which are currently being used for children with heart problems.</p>
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	However, children with respiratory defects are sent abroad for treatment.</p>
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	The hospital said it is not funded by the HSE to provide ECMO treatment to children with respiratory illnesses.</p>
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	It said a business case for the possible commencement of the treatment is being drawn up and will be submitted to the HSE for possible funding.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	In a statement, the HSE said there are no plans at present to provide funding for this treatment.</p>
<p>
	The HSE said a 2012 external review of paediatric critical care in Ireland &quot;recommended as a priority the development of Paediatric Critical Care Retrieval service&nbsp;for the transport of critically ill children from hospitals outside of Dublin to either Our Lady&#39;s Childrens&#39; Hospital or Childrens&#39; University Hospital in advance of the repatriation of respiratory ECMO services.&quot;</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 5th May 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2017/0505/872664-ecmo-treatment-hse/">https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2017/0505/872664-ecmo-treatment-hse/</a></p>
