Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
468. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Rathcoole area of Dublin. [14179/13]
View answer469. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Saggart area of County Dublin. [14180/13]
View answer470. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Newcastle area of County Dublin. [14181/13]
View answer471. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Palmerstown area of Dublin. [14182/13]
View answer472. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Lucan area of County Dublin. [14183/13]
View answer473. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular form, following a report that there is a backlog of 6,000 scan and X-ray reports at Tallaght Hospital which have yet to provide diagnosis or findings to general practitioners, the number outstanding in the Clondalkin area of Dublin. [14184/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 473, inclusive, together.
I appreciate the opportunity to outline the situation in relation to radiology reporting at Tallaght hospital. I am assure by the hospital that there is no predicted impact on patient safety. All urgent, critical and prioritised reports, as well as referrals from Emergency Department and Paediatrics are reported and typed within 24 hours.There are clinical governance processes in place at the hospital for radiologists, the doctors who examine x-rays, to ensure that any significant or urgent cases are responded to immediately. Any critical or urgent findings are immediately brought to the attention of the referring doctor and to the clerical staff who then transcribe and send the report immediately.
There are currently 6000 images reported but untyped – this represents 3.5% of the total number of reports typed annually. Standard turnaround time for routine reports is 2 to 3 weeks, these tapes are currently 5 weeks old - this means that there is a 2-3 week delay in typing these images. The Radiology Department, with the Diagnostic Directorate and Executive Team at the hospital are taking a number of steps to address this issue, including additional clerical support in Radiology to assist with typing of tapes. It is intended that the backlog will be cleared in approximately 5 weeks.
In relation to the specific query from the Deputy regarding the number x-rays outstanding to GPs for particular areas in Dublin I have asked the HSE to contact the Deputy directly in this matter.
