Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 8

Written Answers. - Appointment for Ear Complaint.

Tony Gregory

Question:

76 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who is requiring attention for an ear complaint has been told by the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, that the earliest appointment available would be in November 1990; if he is satisfied with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Children's Hospital, Temple Street, has no record of this patient having been given an out-patient appointment. If the Deputy provides me with additional information on the matter I will have it pursued.

I would like to explain that the provision of an appointment is a matter for the clinical decision of the consultant concerned and the hospital authority. Nonurgent (elective) cases may be put on a waiting list to ensure that emergency and urgent cases can be dealt with promptly.

I would suggest to the Deputy that if the patient's condition has deteriorated her parents should consult their family doctor who would be in the best position to assess and then if necessary to stress the urgency of the case to the consultant concerned.

I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that as part of an urgent action programme embarked on by the Government, I allocated an additional £250,000 to Temple Street Hospital in order to significantly increase the level of service available there. This included £50,000 to permit the treatment of an additional 170 ENT patients before the end of December who would otherwise have remained on the waiting list, together with £50,000 for ENT equipment. In fact, 250 cases were dealt with last year. These additional funds also allowed an increase in out-patients treated in January this year of over 30 per cent on the monthly average for 1989.