Vol. 511 No. 6
284 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a three and a half year waiting list for public outpatients at the ENT department of Waterford Regional Hospital; the proposals, if any, he has to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/99]
The provision of services is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that the general procedure in its hospitals is that the patient is referred to a consultant by a GP's letter. Referral letters are reviewed by the consultant who classifies them as "Urgent", "Intermediate" or "Routine". I understand from the board that urgent cases will be seen at the next consultant's clinic. The board has confirmed that the current waiting time for a routine outpatient appointment is between two and a half and three and half years. The board has advised me that it is currently reviewing the operation of the outpatients department. The primary objective will be to establish ways in which the quality of the service to the public can be improved, while maximising the clinical value of the out-patient service.
I have indicated recently that funding under the waiting list initiative will be increased again in 2000. The total funding in 1999 was £20 million.
