Vol. 517 No. 1
136 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the high level of cancellations at a Dublin hospital in relation to treatments and, in particular, the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who is waiting three and a half years for treatment and has had three such cancellations; and if he will ensure this problem is redressed. [9214/00]
The responsibility for the provision of services at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital incorporating the National Children's Hospital now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I have, therefore, asked the regional chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.
137 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious waiting lists for patients awaiting admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; the steps he will take to ensure this waiting list is reduced; and the timeframe in this regard. [9215/00]
I am aware of the waiting lists for admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital. My Department is currently looking at the overall situation in relation to medical rehabilitation services for the country as a whole, with the objective of formulating a national plan for the development of such services. The question of expanding the services of the National Rehabilitation Hospital and of creating additional facilities in other parts of the country will be examined as part of this process. The National Rehabilitation Hospital itself has already submitted proposals to my Department for the refurbishment and extension of the hospital. A project team has recently been established to draw up a planning brief based on these proposals. Given the lead-in time necessary for planning, it is unlikely that the building project will commence before the end of 2001. The question of the establishment of a new medical rehabilitation centre in Cork is under examination by the Southern Health Board.
138 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is called for his surgery in view of his serious medical condition and the length of time he is on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9216/00]
The provision of medical treatment to eligible persons in County Sligo is the statutory responsibility of the North-Western Health Board in the first instance. I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
