Michael Ring
Question:50 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a hip operation in view of the fact that he is in severe pain. [11154/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Limerick East): As the provision of orthopaedic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board, in the first instance, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case. I understand that the Western Health Board has written to the Deputy directly.
Mary Wallace
Question:51 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been on the waiting list for the Mater Hospital for an operation since 6 February 1996 and who has been told that they are currently only dealing with the October 1995 patients and that in view of the fact that casualties are taking priority, there is virtually no movement on this waiting list; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that her husband is on a dialysis machine at Beaumont Hospital and that since these two people live alone, her husband is completely dependent on her and the removal of the cataracts is not just a medical emergency but a social emergency. [11182/97]
Limerick East): The scheduling of admission to hospital is a matter for the consultant concerned and is determined solely on the basis of medical priority. However, I have had inquiries made of the hospital authorities in this matter and I have been advised that due to this patient's particular circumstances, the hospital has reprioritised her on its in-patient waiting list. I understand that she has now been given an admission date for 30 June 1997.