Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

169 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting period for outpatient consultation for public patients on the ophthalmology, ENT and gynaecology waiting lists at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11569/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of services at Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The average waiting period for routine out-patient appointments in the specialties referred to by the Deputy is as follows:

Specialty	Average waiting time
Ophthalmology	8 months
ENT	24 months
Gynaecology	6-8 weeks

I understand from the board that all urgent and emergency cases will be seen through a process of discussion between the patient's general practitioner and the hospital consultant.