Vol. 424 No. 1
56 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the unreliability of the cat scan machine in a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 1 which gives rise to a waiting list of ten months which results in many patients being forced to pay for a scan in the Mater Private Hospital in order to overcome this alarming delay in gaining access to a basic diagnostic procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Discussions are taking place between my Department and the Mater Hospital with a view to putting in place a programme for the replacement of equipment. The replacement of the CAT scanner will be considered as part of this programme.
The waiting period for CAT scans for public patients in other Dublin hospitals is two weeks to three months and therefore, it is not necessary to refer public patients to private hospitals. All emergency referrals for CAT scans are dealt with immediately.
