Finian McGrath
Ceist:267. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [41523/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 2 October 2013
Ceisteanna (267, 268)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if medical records will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 [41524/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
The management of inpatient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
As the Deputy is aware the issue of the release of medical records is a matter for the hospital concerned. However, if a patient or a relative has a concern or wishes to make a complaint, they should contact the Medical Records Office. If the issue cannot be resolved to the patient's or relative's satisfaction, they will be connected with the Patient Representative's Office, which can offer information and support and can investigate and help to resolve the matter. Alternatively, the complaint may be made directly to the HSE via the "your service your say" form. When an individual is not satisfied with the response they receive, they may wish to take their complaint further by seeking a review from the HSE’s Director of Advocacy or the Office of the Ombudsman.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.