Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for taking this question, as I have been trying to follow up this issue for over a year. A number of people have come to us querying access to spinal surgery in Tallaght. Last May, we received a letter from the chief executive indicating that a patient had been waiting for seven months for a procedure. There was an apology for this and the letter indicated that the hospital had lost two spinal surgeons. As there was significant demand, an appointment could not be given, but it was indicated that if funding was given by the HSE for the spinal services as requested, the hospital would be in a position to move patients more quickly through the system. Will the Minister provide an update on that issue and the transfer of the patients to the Mater Private?

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