Vol. 481 No. 3
112 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason people on medical and surgical waiting lists for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, are not being admitted until after 1 November 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16020/97]
Patients on waiting lists are evaluated to establish the urgency of their treatment and priority is given at all times to patients needing urgent admission.
I understand that Beaumont Hospital has experienced some difficulties recently due to the number of patients presenting in accident and emergency requiring admission. There is also pressure on beds due to a shortage of skilled nurses to fill vacancies. This is a problem being experienced by a number of agencies. While the hospital has been forced to cancel some elective admissions, it is monitoring the situation very closely and will do everything possible to maintain normal service levels.
