Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013
887. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) seeking a hip replacement will be given priority at St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; if an earlier appointment date is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27126/13]
View answerImproving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU together with the NTPF and the HSE have developed the OP waiting list minimum dataset that allows for data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE service plan. The SDU/NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. Should a 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 hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
