Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

77 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will re-investigate the position regarding the delay in having a person (details supplied) in County Cork admitted to hospital for treatment of an eye cataract; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person has stated that at no time did she refuse an appointment for eye surgery or refuse a hospital bed; and if he will have arrangements made to provide evidence that such a refusal was given in view of the fact that it appears that this person is being wronged. [23175/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I have had further inquiries made of the hospital authorities regarding this matter and they have confirmed that from the evidence available in this patient's records she was offered cataract surgery in 1995, but did not avail of the operation at that time.

However, in the interest of resolving this problem, the general manager at Cork University Hospital has suggested that the patient involved should contact him directly to discuss her case and treatment options.