Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004
279 Mr. Cregan asked the Minister for Health and Children if laser treatment for eyes is available to public patients; if so, the hospitals in which; if there is special criteria; the numbers currently on waiting lists; the reason some patients are being told that treatment is only available for private patients; and if this is the case, the reason it is allowed to take place in public hospitals. [3370/04]
View answerThe provision of ophthalmology services is, in the first instance, a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards.
My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the chief executive officer of each health board to respond directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
The total number of adults and children waiting for ophthalmology procedures either as an in-patient or as a day case, as at 30 September 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, was 3,837.
