Hospital Appointments Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Questions (645)

John McGuinness

Question:

645. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 755 of 19 July 2012, if the Health Service Executive will arrange an early date for an operation required by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will confirm the timeframe for the operation; if they have to wait their turn on the current list which is 69th on the bariatric surgery waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51540/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The management of waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). 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 hospital involved.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.