Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
464. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Galway as a matter of urgency in view of the fact that this person is waiting indefinitely as a high-priority case for surgery; if he will issue a date for the operation; the reason surgeons have to wait in a lottery from month to month to be able to perform surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/16]
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 case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
