Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Billy Timmins

Question:

84 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if women who attend at public hospitals for gynaecological appointments in a public capacity can be afforded individual appointment times similar to those attending for private appointments, as opposed to group block appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18870/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The Deputy will be aware that a Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients was introduced in August 1992. It provides guidelines for good standards of practice in acute hospitals, including maternity hospitals. Although the charter has no statutory basis, its objective is to ensure that the health service is responsive to the needs of the individual patient and that there is a code of practice available which sets out what patients have a right to expect when they make use of hospital services.

On the specific issue of the scheduling of appointments, section 2 of the charter states that:

You have the right, when your family doctor refers you to hospital for an out-patient appointment, to: receive confirmation within a reasonable time of the date of your first appointment; be given an individual appointment time; be seen by a consultant or senior doctor on your first appointment.

You have the right, should your appointment at an out-patient department be cancelled by the hospital, to receive adequate and timely notice of such cancellation and to be given a new appointment on a priority basis.

The patients' charter was an important step in developing awareness of patients' rights and I intend to develop a comprehensive policy which will build on the good standards of practice which the charter provides. I acknowledge that there is a need to develop a more people centred service across the health system and it is my intention that this will be a central theme in the new health strategy. Finally, I am aware that there are capacity issues surrounding the provision of gynaecology services and I am committed to addressing this issue in the context of decisions to be taken in relation to bed capacity in the acute hospital sector.