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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1992

Vol. 420 No. 9

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

122 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 may be admitted to St. James' Hospital, Dublin 8, for a hernia repair operation as he is in great pain.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

123 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the extent of the waiting list for elective hernia repair operations at St. James' Hospital, Dublin 8, and if he will confirm that emergency cases only are now being accepted at St. James' Hospital and that patients suffering from non-life threatening conditions such as hernias are not being admitted for the foreseeable future.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

I am aware that there have been difficulties regarding the admission of elective patients to St. James's Hospital, including patients awaiting hernia repair operations. These difficulties have arisen mainly from the large number of admissions to the hospital in recent times through the accident and emergency department. This has decreased the number of beds available for elective cases, which has led to the deferral of booked admissions in a number of instances.
I am glad to inform the Deputy that the hospital authorities are taking steps to address this matter and are making an additional eighteen beds available. This will have the effect of safeguarding the surgical day ward whose beds have recently been occupied by in-patients.
In relation to patients awaiting hernia repair operations, the hospital proposes to assess each patient on the waiting list with a view to determining whether that patient is suitable for treatment on a day basis. The hospital is hopeful that two to three patients per week can be treated in this way. Patients deemed unsuitable for treatment on a day basis will be admitted to the hospital in the norwal way. The hospital authorities will be in touch with the patient concerned to arrange an assessment of his condition in the near future.
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