Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

149 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not been admitted to Cork University Hospital for eye cataract treatment in spite of the fact that she was informed many weeks ago that she would be admitted without delay; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this lady is unable to move out of her home due to her seriously impaired vision; and if he will make a statement on the seemingly endless waiting lists at Cork University Hospital for such treatment. [18258/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I have had inquiries made regarding this matter and I have been advised that this patient has been assessed by the consultant ophthalmologist and is on the waiting list for a cataract operation at Cork University Hospital. However, if this patient's general practitioner feels that her condition has deteriorated or that she needs a more urgent admission date, he should contact the hospital directly for a further assessment.

In 1996 I approved an allocation of 59,400 to Cork University Hospital, under the waiting list initiative, for an additional 60 cataract procedures to be carried out. In recent days, I have made a further allocation to the Southern Health Board in respect of the waiting list initiative and it is expected that some of these funds will be directed towards ophthalmic procedures.