Austin Deasy
Ceist:149 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting period for a private patient for a heart by-pass operation at St. Vincent's, Dublin 4, and the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7.
Written Answers. - Cardiac Operation Waiting List.
The admission of a patient to hospital for cardiac surgery is a clinical decision taken by the consultant concerned and is based on the patient's medical condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Since the criteria for admission to hospital for by-pass surgery are based on medical grounds, information on average waiting times is not kept as a matter of routine.
A decision to avail of private care is a personal decision for the patient and I have no function in the management of private hospital facilities.