Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

204 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow has been on the waiting list for a hysterectomy for 16 months; his views on whether it is acceptable that her operation in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, on 25 May 1998 was cancelled on 23 May 1998; if he will have arrangements made for this operation to be carried out without delay in view of the considerable distress which this and the long waiting time have caused to this woman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14108/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The scheduling of in patient appointments is a matter, in the first instance, for the hospital authorities concerned. Accordingly, I have written to the chief executive officer of St. Vincent's Hospital requesting that he investigate the position regarding this patient and reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.

Seán Haughey

Question:

206 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 will have a hernia operation carried out in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14156/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

As the determination of in-patient appointments is a matter for the hospital authorities in the first instance, based on a clinical assessment of need, I have asked the chief executive officer of Beaumont Hospital to investigate the position regarding this patient. Given the particular circumstances of this case, I have requested that he reply to the Deputy directly, as a matter of urgency.