Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 7

Written Answers. - Mammograph Screening.

Mary Harney

Question:

16 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the reason women are experiencing a six months delay in obtaining mammograph screening at St. Vincent's Hospital and the Mater Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan

, Limerick East): The Mater Hospital has confirmed that the maximum waiting time for an appointment for a mammogram is approximately ten days. In relation to St. Vincent's Hospital, waiting times for appointments for mammograms can vary considerably depending on whether the case is considered on clinical assessment to be routine, non-urgent or urgent. The hospital has confirmed that patients who are referred to the hospital's breast clinic and are considered to be urgent cases have their first appointment with the clinic within a week of referral and following assessment, appointments for urgent mammograms are given immediately.

When patients are referred to the breast clinic they are assessed by specialists who determine whether or not a mammogram is necessary. For non-urgent cases who have been assessed at the breast clinic, the waiting time can be up to three months.

Patients who are referred to the hospital for mammograms by GPs and are not referred directly to the breast clinic may have to wait six months for an appointment. It is important to emphasise that where a patient is worried, she should make an immediate appointment directly with the breast clinic, if necessary through the GP. If, following assessment by a specialist she is considered a priority case, she will be referred for a mammogram immediately. St. Vincent's Hospital has confirmed that all urgent referrals to the breast clinic and all women over the age of 40 receive an immediate appointment for the clinic.

I am providing additional revenue moneys in the current year towards the enhancement of staffing and support levels in a number of service areas at St. Vincent's Hospital, including the breast clinic. My Department is awaiting proposals from the hospital to determine the precise level of funding to be allocated to this service.