Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 4

Written Answers - Galway Hospital Treatment.

Robert Molloy

Question:

76 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Galway was informed by the Western Health Board to attend University College Hospital, Galway on Sunday, 11 August 1996, for an operation, but that one day before his departure for the hospital, he was informed that his operation had been cancelled and that the operating theatres were closed for the month of August; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person has been informed by letter, dated 19 September 1996 by the hospital authorities that they were unable to give him an exact date for his next appointment for an operation; his views on whether this is a satisfactory position; the steps, if any, he is taking to deal with the crisis which has arisen at this hospital in relation to postponed operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Inquiries were made from the Western Health Board in relation to the above patient and I understand that he has been scheduled for admission to University College Hospital this week.

I also understand from the health board that this operation was postponed on a previous occasion due to the fact that an emergency operation on another patient had to be performed.

I do not, of course, regard the situation referred to by the Deputy as satisfactory. I have already made additional funds of £5 million available to hospitals to further reduce waiting lists in the current year. Of this amount £500,000 was allocated to the Western Health Board to provide an additional 700 procedures at University College Hospital, Galway. In addition, I am committed to a major capital development at the hospital which will cost about £25 million and will include the provision of three new operating theatres and one new day theatre, which should help the hospital authorities to reduce the incidence of cancellations. I assure the Deputy that I am committed to improving services at this hospital as a matter of urgency.