Vol. 491 No. 3
266 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the delay for patients awaiting mammograms in the Dublin area; the steps, if any, which are being taken to minimise this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12589/98]
309 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times for mammograms in Dublin hospitals. [12179/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 309 together.
Waiting times for mammograms vary between hospitals depending on the urgency of cases. Urgent appointments are seen as quickly as possible and while the demand for mammograms is high, hospitals make every effort to cater for women seeking appointments as soon as possible. Where a woman is concerned at the length of time she has to wait, she can ask her general practitioner to discuss her case with a consultant radiologist, who decides upon the priority of cases.
I am very conscious of the importance of mammography services and I am strongly committed to developing mammography services in the context of the national cancer strategy.
