Vol. 476 No. 5
82 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an operation to remove abscesses in view of the fact that she has been on a waiting list since June 1996, has been unable to work since November 1995 and her condition is deteriorating so much that she weighs only five stone. [7386/97]
Limerick East): As the provision of surgical treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board in the first instance inquiries were made from the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board in relation to this case. I understand that a reply issued to the Deputy on 18 March 1997.
83 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene with Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, regarding a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 who has had an orthopaedic operation cancelled on six previous occasions due to the non-availability of a bed in the Elizabeth Banks ward; if a bed will be made available on 19 March 1997 which is her next given admission date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/97]
Limerick East): Due to the nature of the work of a hospital such as Beaumont which has a busy accident and emergency department, it is not always possible to predict the precise pattern of activity. At all times, however, priority is accorded to those patients most in need of medical attention. Due to the pressure on the accident and emergency department in Beaumont there have been a number of occasions when some patients have experienced delays in being admitted for elective procedures. A number of initiatives have been taken in the hospital in order to improve the situation. These include— a review of the hospital's discharge policy, the opening of St. Paul's observation ward, the introduction of a regular bed audit to ensure efficient bed turnover, and tighter control of the admission and discharge policies for the five-day wards so that these beds are protected for elective admissions as far as possible.
The hospital regrets that the person referred to by the Deputy has had her admission cancelled on so many occasions, however, this was due to non-availability of beds for elective surgery as a result of increased admissions through the accident and emergency departments. In view of the numerous previous cancellations the hospital has assured me that this patient will be given priority in the future. I would also like to assure the Deputy of my continuing concern that Beaumont Hospital is enabled to respond effectively to the demand placed upon it and I will continue to monitor the situation with a view to taking further action if required.
