asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider monitoring the present appointments system at outpatient hospital clinics with a view to minimising the inconvenience at present being experienced by the public.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Outpatient Hospital Clinics.
11.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the present long waiting list for appointments at hospital outpatient clinics.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take questions 11 and 12 together.
I am informed that apart from orthopaedics, ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat clinics, the waiting lists for appointments at out-patient specialist clinics are not unduly long at most hospitals. Measures are being taken to improve the position in relation to the three specialities referred to, mainly by the appointment of additional consultants.
If the Deputy has information regarding unduly long waiting lists I shall have the matter looked into if he furnishes me with the necessary details.
I have recently set up a working group comprising representatives of health boards, voluntary hospitals and my Department to consider, among other matters, arrangements for outpatients at hospitals, including appointments systems and avoidance of delays.
I think the Minister will agree that he would like me to make submissions to this body but he has not informed me about the setting up of it.
I invited the Deputy to make a submission to it.
That is right but the Minister did not tell me it was being set up.
The Chairman is Mr. Michael Stanley, Principal Officer, Department of Health.
Perhaps he will write to me?
Or perhaps the Deputy could write to him—I shall ask him to invite the Deputy to make a submission.
Is the Minister aware that in the Dublin Eye and Ear Hospital there are delays of up to six months in arranging appointments and that this is causing enormous difficulty for people attending the outpatient's clinics and that some people have given up attending because of the length it takes to get an appointment?
I am aware of the position and it is one of the matters receiving very pressing attention by my chief medical officer at present—the ear, nose and throat situation.
The main difficulty appears to be lack of physical accommodation, and the pressure which both patients and staff are being put under is very serious as a result.