Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Ceisteanna (555)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

630 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, whereby kidney transplants which the hospital aims to carry out within three to six months of the initial test are taking up to 14 months and that it would appear that a major reason for the backlog is that there has been no cover provided for a psychologist who is on maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.