Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Tralee Hospital Blood Sampling Facilities.

Mr. Moynihan

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this very important matter on the Adjournment. I have been advised that, for some time, there have been very considerable delays in the processing of the blood samples submitted to Tralee General Hospital. I have been advised also that due to staff cutbacks in the laboratory many blood samples are not being processed and samples are being stored in fridges until such time as staff are available to deal with them. This is a source of much annoyance and worry for numerous patients. They constantly harass their GPs to find out what is causing the delay in the processing of a simple blood test.

Blood sampling is very important to people who, for example, have to undergo the thyroid function test. These tests are very important to people who are on medication for an under or over active thyroid gland. They need very careful monitoring in the form of regular blood tests to ensure that their thyroxine levels are adequate to enable them to function normally in their every day lives. What will happen to these people if these samples are not processed within a reasonable time?

It is not acceptable that patients should have to wait for three months to have their blood samples processed. This is an indictment not only of the Southern Health Board but also of the Department of Health. I call on the Minister here tonight to rectify this serious problem so that a large number of people in the Tralee General Hospital area can have their fears allayed.

Blood tests are a very important factor in the medical treatment of patients. Having given a blood sample, naturally patients expect their GPs to receive the result of that test within a reasonable time. When that does not happen it creates doubts in the minds of patients as to whether GPs are telling the truth when they say they do not have the results. While the processing of blood samples may appear to be a simple laboratory test it is a very important test for the substantial number of people who are dependent on the services of Tralee General Hospital.

I appeal to the Minister to investigate this matter and to ensure that blood samples are processed at this hospital within a reasonable time so that no anxiety is caused to patients. These patients generally have enough concern anyway without having to cope with delays in the processing of their blood samples. I appeal to the Minister to rectify this matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

What Deputy Moynihan has said is correct. I raised the matter with the Southern Health Board who are responsible for the provision and organisation of services at Tralee General Hospital. The board indicated that delays arose in the issuing of results of thyroid function tests to general practitioners during the period when the staff in the biochemistry laboratory were on annual leave. I should say that there has been an increase in the number of thyroid function tests requested at Tralee General Hospital over the past number of years.

The position since the end of March 1992 is that thyroid function tests submitted to the hospital are reported on in one week. The backlog which had arisen prior to this is being dealt with and the board hope to have it cleared by early May. The board are not aware of any other delays in the processing of blood samples at Tralee General Hospital.

There are four staff in the biochemistry laboratory in Tralee General Hospital. The Southern Health Board are not aware of any delays in the processing of blood samples except in the case of thyroid function tests. About 200 thyroid function tests are analysed at Tralee General Hospital each week. Many samples are sent in by GPs. A backlog arose at the end of the year due to the taking of annual leave by staff. The total workload of the biochemistry department has increased from 37,000 tests in 1987 to 51,000 tests in 1991. Thyroid function tests account for approximately 20 per cent of the total workload in the biochemistry laboratory in the hospital. The board decided that all tests submitted since 21 March should be dealt with immediately. The results of these tests are issued in a week. The backlog of approximately 700 tests which arose during February and March is being dealt with and the board hope to clear this backlog by 7 May 1992.