Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the health priorities of this Government is to tackle hospital waiting lists. Last weekend's Fine Gael Ard-Fheis included promises to tackle lengthy waits. Although the winter plan 2022-23 makes significant promises on additional capacity and improved pathways to care, I wish to raise the terrible situation of one of my constituents in County Louth. On 4 October, I emailed the Minister for Health about my constituent, John Evans from Dundalk, who, having previously undergone a kidney transplant and a leg amputation in 2020, has been waiting for months for urgent surgery to remove his fingers as a result of dry gangrene. Due to the long waiting times, the gangrene has spread to his other fingers. This man is in constant pain. He presented at the accident and emergency department in Drogheda numerous weeks ago and was sent home. Last week, he presented at an accident and emergency department in Dublin from which he was also sent home. I acknowledge the Minister for Health and his team helped to get the original date for Mr. Evans's surgery. However, surgery has since been postponed twice. This is inhumane. If admission is determined in accordance with medical needs, are this man's limbs not critical? He urgently needs care.

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