Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On my travels over the weekend, I met a gentleman who has a tumour. He is attending University Hospital Galway for scheduled treatment. Every month when he goes for this treatment, there is no bed for him. He was advised to go in through the accident and emergency department. He does that and waits for up to 24 hours for a bed and has his treatment. He was at pains to tell me that the doctors and nurses are exceptional and that once he gets in there, the treatment is excellent. There is something seriously wrong when someone with scheduled treatment has to sit for 24 hours in the accident and emergency department.

I am based in the midlands and we are advised to go east or west to centres of excellence for treatment. We should not have to go through the accident and emergency department for scheduled treatment. It is obvious that there are management issues. The beds are available eventually and the money is there. The service and exceptional staff are there.I ask the Leader to use his good offices to ask the Minister to come before the House in order that we might discuss this issue in a constructive manner.