Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
976. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with an address in Fingal waiting to see a consultant neurologist in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1260/21]
View answer978. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the waiting times for patients listed to see a consultant neurologist in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1262/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 976 and 978 together.
It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The HSE is currently recommending that only critical time dependent elective procedures are undertaken at this time due to the on-going and significant increased demand for bed capacity related to Covid-19.
This decision was made arising from the rapid increase in Covid-19 admissions and to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
As the way in which the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the waiting times for patients listed to see a consultant neurologist in Beaumont Hospital is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has advised my department that they are unable to provide the requested neurology outpatient waiting list figures at Beaumont Hospital for those with an area of residence in Fingal. Fingal is a catchment area of towns within North County Dublin and generally is not used for home addresses. However, they have provided the requested information for those with an area of residence in North County Dublin/North Dublin City. This information is outlined in the table.
Beaumont Hospital Outpatient Neurology Waiting List - Area of residence in North Dublin City & County Dublin
|
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
|
North Dublin City & County |
290 |
121 |
53 |
67 |
35 |
6 |
7 |
579 |
|
Grand Total |
290 |
121 |
53 |
67 |
35 |
6 |
7 |
579 |
