Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

The HSE has confirmed to the Minister that St. Vincent's University Hospital has recently written to general practitioners in the Wexford area to advise them that, owing to an increase in general practitioner referrals both from within and outside the hospital's catchment area, it is only able to provide ear, nose and throat and plastic surgery services for GP referrals from within the catchment area. The hospital has written to general practitioners situated outside its catchment area to advise them of the situation. It has proposed to them that they should consider referring patients to the appropriate clinical services in their local hospital in the first instance. It is the hospital's intention that this will facilitate the patient being seen in a more timely manner.

Cork University Hospital provides plastic surgery services for the south-east hospital group in its plastic-maxillofacial unit. The Health Service Executive plans to develop a plastic surgery service in the south east as a matter of priority. Regional ear, nose and throat services are provided in Waterford Regional Hospital, but there may be sub-specialties that are appropriately referred to national or other regional centres such as Cork University Hospital. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on a particular case. However, the Health Service Executive has assured the Minister that patients referred for treatment will be prioritised on the basis of clinical need. The priority list is regularly updated. It is important that there is a co-ordinated approach to the management and treatment of patients in order that patients who require treatment can receive it as quickly as possible in the appropriate health care setting. The Minister has asked the Health Service Executive to address the issue as a matter of priority.