Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
432. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that women are being refused gynaecology care in emergency departments in State-run hospitals that have gynaecology wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32971/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand, from interactions with the Deputy's Office, that the matter in question related to care at the emergency departments in certain private hospitals, rather than HSE hospitals.
The Department of Health does not have responsibility for private hospitals and so cannot provide specific information in relation to the hospitals concerned or the health services that they provide.
The HSE has advised that, all public funded and provided 24/7 Emergency Departments in our acute general hospitals are designed and delivered such that they will manage patients presenting with any symptoms, i.e. there are no clinical exclusion criteria. In addition, further to triage and review, an emergency department may place the patient on an alternative treatment pathway which may include onward referral as required.
