Vol. 543 No. 1
184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree to which cancer patients have ready access to treatment and hospital beds; if all such patients can expect treatment as necessary without referral to waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25812/01]
The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of hospital admissions is a matter for the consultant concerned and is determined solely on the basis of medical priority.
I am aware of the difficulties being experienced by a number of acute hospitals in dealing with increasing demands on their services. In this context, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors, on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review is now at an advanced stage and the findings will be brought to Government in the near future.
Question No. 185 answered with Question No. 31.
