I understand that the HSE responded to the Deputy on 15th April last, in relation to this matter indicating that the patient had been issued with an Outpatient appointment to be seen by the CardioThoracic service but was not on the waiting list for surgery. In general should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. However in relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy regarding a heart operation, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.