Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 211-223

Hospital Services

Questions (211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223)

Frank Feighan

Question:

211. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the hospitals in the Roscommon Galway Hospitals group that have the facility to examine biopsies. [20525/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

212. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the number of biopsies in total examined at Galway hospitals in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [20526/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

213. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the number of biopsies examinations pertaining to Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals currently being carried out. [20527/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

214. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the number of biopsies examinations pertaining to Roscommon and Portiuncula hospitals carried out in Galway in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [20528/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

215. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the types of biopsies examinations, in general terms, currently being carried out in Galway. [20529/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

216. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a numerical breakdown for the types of biopsies results for example cancer, diseases - pertaining to Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals [20530/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

217. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the reason Roscommon or Portiuncula hospitals do not have the facilities to examine biopsies in view of the importance of time when it comes to diagnosing serious and life-threatening illnesses. [20531/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

218. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health if it is the case Portiuncula Hospital or Roscommon Hospital do not have the facilities to examine biopsies; if plans to develop such facilities will be explored particularly at both hospitals in view of cases of suspected serious or life-threatening illnesses. [20532/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

219. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to develop biopsie facilities at Roscommon or Portiuncula Hospitals [20533/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

220. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the average respective timescales for biopsies to be examined in Galway and results returned to Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals. [20534/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

221. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the corresponding timescales for biopsies to be examined in Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals for both hospitals in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [20535/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

222. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the national average timescales for biopsies results to be returned to hospitals without such examination facilities. [20536/13]

Frank Feighan

Question:

223. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the protocols once a biopsy result is returned to a consultant and the subsequent communication to the respective patient. [20537/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 223, inclusive, together.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.