Vol. 466 No. 5
67 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for persons requiring plastic surgery; if he will give a breakdown of the waiting period for the Mater and Beaumont hospitals, Dublin; his views on this waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11743/96]
Limerick East): Waiting times for plastic surgery are determined in the first instance having regard to medical priority. However, I understand that in the case of the Mater Hospital the average waiting period is two years while in the case of Beaumont it is 15 months.
Further to the Comhairle na nOspidéal report dated February 1990 on the organisation of plastic surgery in Dublin, I am glad to inform the Deputy that I have recently sanctioned two consultant plastic surgeon posts to be structured between Beaumont Hospital and James Connolly Memorial Hospital and between the Mater Hospital and Temple Street Hospital. These appointments will improve the service currently available and reduce waiting times in the specialty of plastic surgery.
