Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

I am not calling for a debate or for any Minister to come before the House. I am looking for action on a very serious matter. In the course of my work during the week I made representations on behalf of a patient in my constituency who needs a very specific operation which necessitates a neuro-stimulator. Out of frustration the consultant e-mailed me yesterday from the department of pain management in St. Vincent's Hospital. That consultant has been instructed by hospital management not to operate on this lady because she is not from the Dublin region. There are only four centres that do this type of operation. St. Vincent's Hospital is the centre of excellence for pain management and for this surgery. Three other smaller hospitals do it, all of which are in Dublin. That consultant is instructed by hospital management not to operate on this patient because she is living outside the Dublin area. I do not want a debate or for the Minister to come into the House. I want action on this matter. I will give the details to the Leader. This lady is suffering cruelly with pain and she needs this operation but because of where she lives she will not be operated on. I know our health service is suffering but this is taking that to a new level.