Vol. 402 No. 3
126 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will consider improvements in the dialysis treatment system and bring about late opening hours at treatment units around the country, so as to facilitate patients who are being denied work and study opportunities because of the restricted hours of opening.
I asked my Department to contact dialysis units throughout the country concerning the operation of services for dialysis patients. On the basis of the information supplied to my Department, hospitals in general operate for sufficient periods to service both the ordinary and emergency needs of their patients. In particular, I understand that hospitals try to be as flexible as possible regarding opening hours when arranging such treatments.
I would wish that some improvements to overcome the type of difficulties mentioned by the Deputy would be made if at all possible and I am pursuing this matter with the hospitals concerned.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that apart from the existing dialysis units my Department will be considering proposals for the establishment of additional satellite units in the context of the resources which will be available for the health services for 1991.
