Written answers

Thursday, 13 March 2008

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Services

1:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason all the women who had mammograms carried out at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, have not been formally written to, informing them of the results, even if these results were negative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11062/08]

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Laois who had a mammogram carried out at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, has not been formally written to informing them of the result; when they will be contacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11063/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.

The HSE has advised my Department that 3,037 mammograms of patients who attended the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise were reviewed by Dr. Ann O'Doherty and her team in St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin. A number of these patients were called for further assessment in St. Vincent's. All patients who attended for assessment had their imaging reported during the clinic and patients with normal results were given these results orally prior to leaving the clinic. A small number were identified as requiring biopsy. These biopsies were carried out at the initial visit and arrangements were made with the patients to receive their biopsy results following discussion of these results by the consultant team at a multidisciplinary meeting. The issue of writing to patients who did not require any follow up following initial review of their mammogram was discussed between the HSE and my officials. Following this it was agreed by the HSE not to issue individual letters to those patients who did not require reassessment.

A number of press releases which issued during August and September 2007 also stated that patients affected would be contacted directly by the HSE or any patient requiring reassessment would be contacted. The same press releases issued to national, local, broadcast and print media carried the details of a helpline in operation at the hospital for people who needed further information.

The Deputy's specific question in relation to the named individual relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the HSE under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if St. Martins ward, St. Joseph's Hospital, Limerick, has been relocated to a ward in the main building as was planned for March 2007. [11070/08]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

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