Vol. 508 No. 4
173 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department will investigate the application for funding for consultancy fees for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19324/99]
Health boards may refer patients for treatment abroad where certain criteria have been met. These criteria are as follows: the treatment concerned is not available in this country; there is an urgent medical necessity for the treatment; there is a reasonable medical prognosis; the treatment is regarded as a proven form of medical treatment and is recommended by the patient's consultant and the treatment is to be carried out in a recognised hospital or other institution and is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.
It is a matter for the health board concerned to examine the circumstances of each individual case and to decide on whether the above criteria have been met. I have therefore asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the circumstances of this case and reply directly to the Deputy.
174 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be admitted for two hip replacement operations and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19326/99]
The provision of orthopaedic treatment in this case is a matter, in the first instance, for the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, incorporating the National Children's Hospital. I have, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the hospital to investigate this matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
