asked the Minister for Health the reason for the long delay in a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 being admitted for an ENT operation at Temple Street Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Hospital Admission Delay.
57.
The admission of a patient to hospital is essentially a matter for the clinical decision of the consultant concerned. Non-urgent (elective) cases may be put on a waiting list to ensure that emergency and urgent cases can be dealt with promptly. I understand from Temple Street Hospital that this patient was seen in May 1989 and was put on the waiting list for bilateral myringotomies (drainage) and EUA (investigation). He is not considered by the hospital to be an urgent case.
I would suggest to the Deputy that if the patient's condition has deteriorated he should return to his general practitioner who would be in the best position to assess and then, if necessary, to stress the urgency of the case to the consultant concerned.