Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When I read the outpatient waiting list figures for the Deputy's hospital – if I may call it that, although I accept it is very much a regional hospital that serves several counties – and consider the specialties, the ENT specialty is indeed accounting for the largest proportion of people waiting for an outpatient appointment in Sligo University Hospital. Therefore, it is appropriate that the first area we target with NTPF funding starting next month is additional ENT clinics. I particularly thank the hospital, one which as the Deputy knows is limited in physical space, although perhaps that is for another conversation, for arranging to run evening clinics to ensure this can be facilitated. I also want to thank it for informing me that it is going to review the space now used by the ENT which has longest waiting times. There is the potential to modify existing rooms with the fit-out of equipment to create three procedure rooms and to soundproof a third audiology room. The hospital would then be able to see an additional 384 patients annually. I very much take the Deputy's point in wanting to ensure that the Saolta group in that part of the country gets its fair share of resources. My message to the Saolta group, and I have delivered it in person, is to come forward with as many proposals as possible. I visited Sligo University Hospital where I delivered that message. Any proposals that can help drive down waiting lists will be favourably received by the Department of Health.

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