asked the Minister for Health the reasons persons (details supplied) in County Cork who are patients at South Infirmary, Cork, did not have their heart by-pass operations scheduled for 29 May 1985, and for which they have waited over two years; and if their places were taken by two fee-paying private patients.
Written Answers. - Heart By-Pass Operations.
47.
These two patients were given provisional appointments for surgery on 29 May. These appointments were not confirmed. In the event, a number of emergency cases presented on that date and were given priority as is usual procedure. The criterion for selecting patients for surgery is medical need. The two patients will have their operation at the earliest possible date.