Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the concerns raised by the Irish Cancer Society that average waiting times for colonoscopies could be seven to nine months and that more recent media reporting shows that more than 240 patients are waiting longer than a year for a colonoscopy test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42498/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to address the long waiting times for public patients to have colonoscopies in various hospitals around the country; if she will treat this issue as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42427/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans she has to address the long waiting times for public patients to have colonoscopies in various hospitals around the country; if she will treat this issue as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42596/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 101 and 206 together.

Patients who require colonoscopies are prioritised on the basis of information about their symptoms provided by their GP. Those where cancer is suspected are dealt with on an urgent basis. Accordingly, longer waiting times apply only to patients in which an urgent clinical need has not been identified by their GP. Waiting times for colonoscopies have improved in the last 12 months but I accept there is need for further improvement. In the year to November 2008, there has been a reduction of two thirds in the number of patients waiting for longer than 12 months, and a 31% reduction in the overall number of patients waiting longer than 3 months. The pattern of lengthy waiting times is confined to a small number of hospitals.

I have discussed this with the CEO of the HSE who last week instructed all hospitals where patients are waiting over 3 months for a colonoscopy to refer these patients to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The NTPF has said that it will quickly arrange colonoscopies for patients who are referred to them. I expect to see a substantial improvement over a short period of time.