Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

154 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will investigate the waiting list for MRI scans at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in view of the long delay being experienced by a person (details supplied) in County Laois who is a medical card holder and awaiting a scan. [5911/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I have had inquiries made of the hospital authorities regarding this matter and I have been advised that all requests for MRI scans at the hospital are reviewed by the appropriate consultant radiologist. The consultant classifies each patient as urgent or routine. In the case of urgent classifications, an appointment is given at the earliest opportunity, while routine classifications are given the next available appointment. The waiting time for routine appointments is currently seven months.

I have been advised that this patient has been designated as routine and has been given an appointment for 9 September 1998 at 10.30 a.m. However, should she feel that her condition has deteriorated, she should return to her general practitioner, who would be in the best position to emphasise the urgency of her case to the consultant directly.