Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prison Medical Service.

Bernard Allen

Question:

304 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is serving a sentence in Fort Mitchell, Spike Island, was called for surgery in St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork, but, on the eve of the operation, the operation was cancelled with an explanation that he would not get adequate post-operative care in Fort Mitchell, Spike Island; and the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that he receives the required medical treatment. [14881/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am aware of the person to whom the Deputy refers but it is long standing practice not to comment in detail on the case of an individual prisoner and I do not propose to make an exception to that practice in this instance. I can, however, say that a prisoner who is admitted to hospital for an operation, or any other purpose, can only be returned to prison when discharged by the hospital. Furthermore, there is no question but that any post-operative care, ongoing treatment, or further hospital visits for physiotherapy etc., required, are facilitated by the prison governor in conjunction with the prison doctor acting in consultation with the hospital consultant. I am satisfied that the prisoner referred to by the Deputy was fully facilitated, by the prison authorities, in relation to the operation in question and that this level of facilitation will continue.