Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for raising the issue of timely access to services at University Hospital Kerry and for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the position. I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, who apologises that he could not be here.

The Minister acknowledges that, in general, waiting times are often unacceptably long and he is conscious of the burden that places on patients and their families. However, it is important to note that in regard to the prioritisation used when scheduling patients for appointments, the Health Service Executive, HSE, has adopted a national waiting list management policy, which sets out the processes hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. This policy was developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care.

I understand Deputy Healy-Rae has specific concerns about delays in the radiology department in University Hospital Kerry. It is important to note that all staff in our hospitals are aware of the strict protocols relating to patient safety incidents. All safety incidents, both clinical and non-clinical, must be notified through the process outlined in the HSE’s safety incident management policy. I would like to assure the Deputy that the Minister for Health has been advised by the HSE that the hospital has not received any safety incident forms relating to ultrasound scan delays in University Hospital Kerry.

The Minister has been further advised that management in UHK has been working with radiologists in the hospital to develop a pathway to assign patients for scans in a manner that is consistent with HSE protocols relating to fair and equitable access to treatment for public and private patients based on patient acuity. A transparent, fair and equitable pathway has also been developed for GP referrals for ultrasound scans which are non-urgent and routine, and for urgent cases which are dealt with through the emergency department or acute medical assessment unit, AMU, if required.

The Deputy may also wish to note that, following a recommendation in Sláintecare, the Minister has established an independent review group, chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, to examine the impact of separating private practice from the public hospital system. The group has been asked to conclude its work and report to the Minister in September 2018.

In regard to the radiology department in University Hospital Kerry, I wish to conclude by reassuring the Deputy that the HSE has confirmed that the management at the hospital has not received any safety incident forms relating to ultrasound scan delays and that it is satisfied that patients are assigned for scans in a manner consistent with HSE protocols on fair and equitable access to treatment.

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