asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that sick and injured people have frequently to wait several hours for attention in out-patient departments of Dublin hospitals; and if, with a view to obviating such delays in future, he will consult with hospital authorities and the medical profession for the purpose of introducing a scheme of appointments at pre-arranged times.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment in Hospital Out-Patient Departments.
29.
I would refer the Deputy to a reply given on the 11th February, 1965 by my predecessor as Minister in which he dealt with the functions of the Dublin Health Authority in the matter of out-patient specialist services. I understand that an appointments system, such as the Deputy envisages, operates in a number of the Dublin hospitals. In others, it was found that a rigid appointments system did not eliminate inconvenience to patients and the rigid appointments system was abandoned.
If the Deputy has evidence that the system operating in particular hospitals occasions abnormal inconvenience to Health Act patients, I would suggest that the information should be made available to the Dublin Health Authority with a view to their examining the position.
Would the Minister not concern himself with patients other than Health Act patients, particularly people who attend following injuries received in accidents? It is a regular thing for people to attend at nine or half-past nine in the morning and to have to wait until after midday to receive attention. I ask the Minister to treat this matter as one of urgency to approach not only voluntary hospitals or public hospitals but all hospitals. It is hard on anyone who is wounded or suffering from illness to have to wait this long period.
I think the Deputy is exaggerating the situation, but in any event, it is a matter for the Dublin Health Authority. I shall convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.
I want the Minister to approach every hospital in Dublin which has an out-patient department.