Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
448. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, where availability of theatres for surgical procedures is severely curtailed due to budgetary measures, which results in longer waiting lists, hardship for patients and frustration for staff who cannot provide the quality of service they wish for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12823/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of surgical activity requires the facilitation of emergency, trauma, or urgent care whilst addressing the competing requirement for theatre availability for non-urgent elective procedures. Particular problems arise in hospitals providing tertiary and national specialist services, where it is necessary to prioritise not only emergency and trauma surgery, but also cancer and complex non-urgent cases. Inevitably this will affect waiting lists: the challenge is to manage that impact within the hospital and in collaboration with other hospitals.
In respect of the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not receive a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
