Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2016
130. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for persons to receive an outpatient appointment at the rheumatology department at Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, specifically for those waiting three months, six months, nine months, 12 months or greater than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31060/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
