Jim Higgins
Ceist:285 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children when arrangements will be made for the admission of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is on the heart bypass waiting list. [21449/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
I understand from the Mater Hospital the person in question is on the waiting list for cardiac surgery since May 1996. The hospital is not in a position to give a date of admission and the scheduling of surgery is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned, based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority. The patient's general practitioner should, accordingly, keep the consultant informed on a regular basis of the patient's condition.