Vol. 453 No. 5
74 Mr. Calley asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for by-pass surgery for medical card holders; if he has satisfied himself that medical card patients are being dealt with equally and fairly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9573/95]
Limerick East): Admission for open heart surgery in the public hospital service is determined having regard to the medical condition of patients, not on the basis of whether they are classified as public or private patients or whether they have medical cards. Admission is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority. In these circumstances, the average waiting time is not a critical indicator of the adequacy of the service available. Accordingly, I am satisfied that within the public hospital service access to the service is determined by medical need.
75 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for an angiogram test for a medical card holder in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/95]
Limerick East): The waiting period for a cardiac angiogram for public patients in Dublin varies from two weeks to 18 months for non-urgent cases depending on the particular hospital. Hospitals give priority to urgent cases.
Therefore I would urge doctors referring patients for cardiac angiograms to take cognisance of the different waiting times for this procedure in different hospitals.
