Vol. 543 No. 4
98 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a statement by the consultant rheumatologist at Waterford Regional Hospital that rheumatology services in the South-Eastern Health Board area are so stretched that the routine waiting time for a consultation, as at July 2001, was three years. [27365/01]
As the Deputy will be aware, the South-Eastern Health Board is responsible for the provision of services at Waterford Regional Hospital. The board has identified as a priority development the appointment of a second consultant rheumatologist at Waterford Regional Hospital, and I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have recently given financial approval to the board for that appointment. The board is confident that this appointment will impact favourably on those patients currently on the waiting list for rheumatology treatment at the hospital.
99 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for a consultation for rheumatology services in each health board area. [27366/01]
Data on waiting times for rheumatology services are not routinely collected by my Department. Therefore, my Department has asked the chief executive of all the health agencies to look into the matter and reply directly to the Deputy a matter of urgency.
