Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
583 Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a child (details supplied) will have to wait upwards of nine months for a repeat MRI at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/12]
View answerI am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
