asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the long delays being experienced by patients seeking appointments at hospital out-patient clinics and for special investigation such as X-rays; and the action he proposes in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Out-Patient Clinics.
35.
I am aware of delays occurring from time to time in out-patient clinics. I have asked officials in my Department for a full report on this question and for recommendations on what can be done to improve the situation.
There is a special problem in relation to radiological investigations. This is due, basically, to a shortage of radiologists. I have instructed officials of my Department to take steps to increase the output of radiologists from our post-graduate training programme and to report to me on any other measures which can be taken to improve this situation in the shortest possible time.
Is the Minister aware that because of the long delay in obtaining appointments in out-patient departments, there is a considerable loss to the economy in work days and there is also a considerable danger to the health of patients? One patient of mine almost expired while awaiting an appointment with a consultant. He was lucky to be saved by being admitted as an emergency case.
I want to help the Deputy but is he making a statement.
Would the Minister not consider that an urgent review of the appointments arrangements and the long delays experienced by these people should be undertaken immediately?
It is being undertaken. Another survey is being undertaken by the Eastern Health Board.
All over the country and not just the Eastern Health Board area?
I was under the impression that the Deputy was aiming his question towards Dublin, so to speak. So far as Dublin is concerned, the information I have is that the situation is most unsatisfactory, sometimes due to the fault of the doctor, sometimes due to the fault of the patient, sometimes due to the fact that the doctor may be called away to an urgent case, but there is evidence to support the suggestion that there are long delays. It is very difficult to know how to get around this. We have all experienced this ourselves or in respect of our families. We have experienced this in other areas where interviews or appointments are scheduled to take place at a certain hour. There is a massive pile-up. We see this particularly in the social welfare establishments throughout the country when appeals are to be heard and 20 people are asked to report at, say, 3.15 p.m. and have to stay there until 5.30. The Deputy as a doctor will appreciate that this is a real problem, but I could not say now how to solve it.
Question No. 36.
I suggest that the solution is the appointment of more doctors as consultants to out-patients departments.