Vol. 428 No. 1
437 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health whether a medical card patient can avail of a vasectomy operation free of charge; if so, the hospitals at which this may be availed of; if not, the plans, if any, he has to ensure that access to such a service is not dependent on ability to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Vasectomy operations are a matter for decision by the patients concerned in conjunction with their consultants. Where vasectomy operations are deemed necessary, they are considered part of a hospital's normal activity and are performed on the same basis as any other medical procedure and according to the same eligibility criteria.
Vasectomy operations are performed for medical card holders in the following hospitals:
Eastern Health Board area: Adelaide Hospital; St. James's Hospital, Dublin.
Western Health Board area: University College Hospital, Galway.
North-Western Health Board area: Sligo General; Letterkenny General.
Midland Health Board area: Portlaoise General Hospital; Mullingar General Hospital.
South-Eastern Health Board area: Waterford Regional Hospital; Ardkeen.
Where a recommended medical procedure is not available at a hospital, patients have the right to ask their hospital consultant to transfer them elsewhere where the procedure is available.
