Vol. 427 No. 3
111 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it can take up to eight weeks to get an appointment for X-rays as a public patient and only two to three days for an appointment as a private patient; and the steps, if any, he will take to shorten the waiting times for appointments.
I understand that the Deputy's question refers specifically to St Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire and St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown. I am assured that in both hospitals all urgent cases are treated immediately.
In the case of St. Michael's, I am informed that all X-rays are carried out as quickly as possible, with a maximum waiting time of between eight to ten days. Waiting time for ultrasound procedures is eight weeks. Routine X-rays at St. Columcille's are done immediately. There is a waiting time at present, however, for "Barium Meals" of approximately four weeks and for ultrasound procedures of approximately eight weeks.
