I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 to 489, inclusive, 491 to 494, inclusive, and 496 to 500, inclusive, together.
All hospitals funded by the HSE, including those in the Dublin/Midlands region, are required to deliver a high quality service to its patients, while remaining within the financial allocation provided.
The first Consultant Dermatologist for the Midlands Area was appointed to the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar in September 2007. This Consultant Dermatologist resigned her post earlier this year.
The HSE sought on a number of occasions to recruit a suitable temporary replacement without success. Discussions have taken place between the HSE and a major teaching hospital in Dublin with a view to expanding the remit of the post. As a result of these discussions, the HSE intends to advertise the permanent restructured post within the coming weeks. In the meantime, the HSE is endeavouring to put arrangements in place pending filling of the post permanently.
I understand that the appointment times issued to patients by the hospital were based on an expectation, at the time, that the consultant post was about to be filled. Unfortunately, the expected appointment did not materialise. The hospital management regrets any confusion resulting from this.
In the meantime, some patients who required urgent treatment have been seen in Dublin and arrangements have also been made for children to be treated in Dublin.
I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy on the waiting times and numbers of patients on the waiting list.