Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
487. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when a person in (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect to be called for an outpatient appointment, in view of the fact the person has been waiting since May 2013 to be called and this delay is causing undue stress. [10887/14]
View answerA maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working 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 or 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.
