Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
527. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when required surgery will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); the number of persons awaiting similar surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39807/17]
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 queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
