Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (921, 922)

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

925 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 27 March 2012, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the average waiting time for sanctioning of prosthetic limbs for persons on a medical card is about seven months; the actions he will take to rectify the waiting time in view of the problems facing patients whose prosthetic limbs no longer fit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26928/12]

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

926 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 545 of 27 March 2012, his views on whether it is acceptable that a person (details supplied) in County Kerry faces the possibility of being confined to a wheel chair in view of the fact that the average waiting time for sanctioning of prosthetic limbs for persons on a medical card is about seven months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26929/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 925 and 926 together.

It is not acceptable that anyone should be confined to a wheelchair because of delays in being fitted for a follow up prosthetic limb. I understand that there has been significant pressure on prosthetic services in the Cork and Kerry region and that €80k has been allocated to remedy this situation.

The HSE South has advised that it is focusing on clearing the waiting list and work has already commenced in this regard. It is envisaged that the full list will be cleared over the next few weeks.

I have forwarded the question to the HSE who will contact the Deputy directly in relation to his constituent's query.