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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 1972

Vol. 261 No. 12

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Hospital Waiting List.

9.

asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the failure to reduce the waiting list of patients for admission to the ENT department of Temple Street Hospital, Dublin.

There are 425 patients awaiting ENT treatment at this hospital as compared with 543 a year ago. These are mainly tonsil and adenoid cases. In view of the fact that urgent cases receive immediate attention and children are called in groups of 50 at a time, I do not regard the waiting list as unduly high.

When the Minister says they are called 50 at a time does that mean 50 in a year or 50 each quarter? Would he give us some indication when the present waiting list may be completed?

I could not say how the 50 come into it. As I have already indicated to the House, I do not mind having waiting lists for ENT for the less serious cases. The majority of the doctors tell me that it is better for them to wait and some of them get better and do not need to have their tonsils out.

Doctors differ.

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