asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for people requiring a cataract operation at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital; and if he considers that more beds are required there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cataract Operations.
22.
I have had inquiries made of the hospital and have been informed that the waiting period varies.
Patients affected in one eye only and those with developing, i.e. unripe, cataracts generally present no problem of urgency and for them the period on the waiting list is currently approximately seven to nine months. A booking is usually made on the waiting list as soon as it is known that a person will need an operation; for at least some of the waiting period, therefore, the patient would not be medically ready for operation.
More urgent cases are placed on a special waiting list and are admitted within a relatively short period.
There are 122 ophthalmic beds at the hospital which is considered adequate to meet current and prospective demands.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I have written to the Minister about a particular case where the person concerned is nearly totally blind and unable to get about and the waiting period is eight to nine months?
I agree entirely with what the Deputy has said and in the reply he got to the letter the case of the lady in question was explained to him rather fully, if not satisfactorily.