Jimmy Deenihan
Question:175 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients from the Kerry area awaiting heart surgery; and the average waiting period for this operation.
Written Answers. - Heart Surgery Patients.
Heart surgery in the Southern Health Board area is carried out at Cork Regional Hospital. The hospital has informed me that there are two public patients from the Kerry area awaiting heart surgery at present. The admission of a patient to hospital for surgery is a clinical decision for the consultant in charge of the case. Waiting times vary according to the needs of patients. Waiting lists are kept under review and priority is given to urgent cases. If a patient's condition deteriorates, his or her general practitioner would be in the best position to contact the consultant in charge of the case in order to stress the urgency of the case.