Vol. 394 No. 8
362 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory service being provided by the Meath Hospital, Dublin 8, for persons in casualty who have had to wait up to five hours for treatment for serious wounds; and, in particular, if he will make a statement on the appalling treatment of and service to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who had to wait from 5.50 p.m. until 9.40 p.m. on 24 November 1989.
I have had inquiries made of the hospital authorities regarding this matter. It is understood that the person concerned attended at the Meath Hospital's accident and emergency department on 24 November 1989 with a laceration of his left hand and that there was some delay before he was treated. This delay was caused by the attendance at the accident and emergency department of a number of seriously ill patients who needed immediate attention and admission. The number of examination areas was severely restricted while these patients awaited transfer to the wards. Of necessity people with lacerations and other nonlife threatening conditions had to wait until these cases had been dealt with. I understand that the person concerned did receive the appropriate care and attention when seen.
Given the nature of the accident and emergency service it is impossible to anticipate when and how many people will present for treatment nor can one anticipate the type of the injuries that have to be dealt with. I am satisfied that adequate resources have been provided to enable the Meath Hospital to significantly improve its accident and emergency service which is now available on a 24 hour, seven day week basis.
I am happy that the Meath Hospital are providing a very high standard of service in a very professional manner.
363 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will have an ear operation which has been cancelled twice already at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7, to relieve severe deafness which adds to his nervous disability and is causing additional family stress.
I would like to explain that the admission of a patient to hospital is a matter for the clinical decision of the consultant concerned and the hospital authority. Non-urgent (elective) cases may be put on a waiting list to ensure that emergency and urgent cases can be dealt with promptly.
I would suggest to the Deputy that if the patient's condition has deteriorated he should return to his general practitioner who would be in the best position to assess and then if necessary to stress the urgency of the case to the consultant concerned.
364 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the waiting time for ear, nose and throat appointments at Ardkeen Hospital, Waterford, is 12 months; and the plans, if any, he has to improve the situation at that hospital.
I am aware that problems have arisen in the provision of ear, nose and throat services at Ardkeen Regional Hospital, Waterford, due to the difficulty in filling a vacant post of consultant ENT surgeon. The post has been advertised on several occasions but it has not been possible to make an appointment. The Local Appointments Commissioners readvertised the post on 29 November 1989, and the closing date for receipt of applications was 17 January 1990.
Officers of my Department are monitoring the situation with the South-Eastern Health Board.
