Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total number of outpatient appointments cancelled in acute hospitals in each of the years 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022, by hospital group and hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12829/22]
View answerI fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand.
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.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
