Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In cases where a GP or a consultant refers requests for tests to a lab how common is it for there to be no contact with the consultant or GP thereafter? Is it uncommon, very rare or whatever? We have all come across cases where the patient needs to ring up to find out what has happened, notwithstanding that we have modern technology and that all these things can be linked into the communications system effectively.

My next question relates to the Salford issue. Why would it not have been possible to deal with the tests that were referred to Salford here in Dublin? It might have meant taking on an extra specialist in that area. Would it not have been simple to say, "Okay tests have been carried out here in the city and we have a bit of an overload. Can you take on extra staff to clear it?"