Vol. 447 No. 3
26 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health the number of Down's syndrome children who are on health board waiting lists for heart surgery; his views on whether they are experiencing undue delays in having their operations; if he will appoint an extra surgeon to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3637/94]
Heart surgery for Down's syndrome children is carried out at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. There are currently 26 Down's syndrome children on the waiting list for heart surgery at the hospital. I understand from the hospital that there is no undue delay in the treatment of the children.
The Deputy will appreciate that the admission of a child to hospital for treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned to determine and urgent cases are always accorded priority. In Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children the waiting lists are constantly reviewed so that urgent cases receive treatment promptly. However, should a parent feel that his or her child's condition has deteriorated, they should return to their general practitioner who would be best placed to highlight the case to the relevant consultant.
