Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Mary O'Rourke
Ceist:
46
Mrs. O'Rourke
asked the
Minister for Health
if he will request an explanation from the breast clinic in St. Vincent's Hospital regarding the reason there are unacceptable long waiting times for patients as detailed in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24106/96]
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:
60
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Health
if his attention has been drawn to the unacceptable waiting times, being three to five hours, which patients attending the breast clinic in St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin 4 have to endure; if he will ensure that this situation will be rectified at an early date; his views on the adequacy of the current clinic provision in view of the fact that approximately 20 patients are seen per hour in St. Vincent's Hospital; the proposals, if any, he has to improve this service in view of the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer and also in view of the rights of patients to the courtesy of reasonable waiting times after waiting a number of weeks for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23759/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 60 together.
The management at St. Vincent's Hospital readily admit that referrals to the hospital's breast clinic have increased significantly in recent years. The clinic was the first of its kind in this country and to some extent its success has led to the rapid increase in patient referrals, very many of whom come from regions well outside the St. Vincent's catchment area.
One of the key principles in the health strategy is the need for enhanced regional self sufficiency in the provision of hospital services. In relation to the operation of the breast clinic at St. Vincent's Hospital, it is my view that this clinic should be a model for the development of breast clinics elsewhere but cannot substitute for the provision of these services on a regional basis. The regional development of clinics would, of course, ensure that the service would be provided in close proximity to the women who avail of it.
A number of measures have been put in place to reduce pressure on the breast clinic at St. Vincent's Hospital and further improvements are planned. For example, in 1995 only one clinic per week was held. In response to the growing number of patients attending the clinic, a second clinic was introduced each Friday afternoon. Also, the hospital is conscious of the need to curtail the number of inappropriate referrals presenting at the clinic and accordingly it has been in contact with general practitioners as part of an ongoing educational campaign.
Earlier this year, I was pleased to provide additional funds to the hospital to facilitate the introduction of new nurse led clinics which are now held twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. These additional clinics deal with return patients who would not necessarily require to be seen by a consultant. In addition, one of the consultant surgeons, together with the specialist breast clinic nurse, is seeing patients every Wednesday. Again, these clinics are focused on return patients who require time for discussion and counselling. I also understand from St. Vincent's Hospital that the block booking of patients on Friday's has ceased and patients are now given appointment times.
In general, the hospital has informed me that waiting times at the breast clinic have improved. The hospital management and the breast clinic staff are doing everything possible to try and alleviate waiting times and to improve services. Finally, the hospital has stressed that women referred to the clinic who require urgent appointments are given appointments at the following Friday clinic.
In the long-term I was pleased to announce a major capital upgrading of St. Vincent's Hospital which will cost approximately £33 million. Included in this development will be a major upgrading of the physical conditions within the existing breast clinic.
