Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2007
162 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in arranging an assessment for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at Kilcreene Hospital for a knee operation; and if she will arrange an early assessment and operation in view of the urgency of their case as described by their general practitioner. [7011/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraOperational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
Patients waiting more than three months on a surgical waiting list may qualify for treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on her behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to this case.
