asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the 12 month delay for patients residing in County Kerry who need medical treatment in the Eye, Ear, Throat and Nose hospital, Cork; and if he will take steps to reduce this delay.
Written Answers. - Cork ENT Services.
18.
The Eye, Ear and Throat hospital, Cork provides an ENT and Ophthalmology service and its catchment area is counties Cork and Kerry.
There is at present a waiting time of about 12 months for ENT services and four to five months for ophthalmology services. The waiting times apply equally to all patients from within its catchment area.
Plans are going ahead for the transfer of the ENT service and the ophthalmic service from this hospital to superior accommodation at the South Infirmary and Cork Regional Hospital respectively. The position will be monitored when the transfers have been completed.