Ivor Callely
Ceist:73 Mr. Calley asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for assessment for children with serious heart defects; the waiting period for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9572/95]
Written Answers. - Heart Defects in Children.
Limerick East): Referral letters to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin are assessed by the consultants and decisions are made as to when the patient will be seen. Cases considered to be urgent are given priority while non-urgent cases can take up to four months.
When the child is seen at an out-patient clinic, the case is assessed and if further treatment is required it is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned to decide when this should take place. The waiting list for cardiac surgery is 84 at present with 44 cases waiting under six months and 40 cases waiting over six months. The treatment of patients is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority.