Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 16: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times of, on average, six months and more in some parts of the country for colonoscopies in view of the importance of early diagnosis of bowel cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6549/09]

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

In the twelve months to November 2008, there was a reduction of two thirds in the number of patients waiting for colonoscopies 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.

All hospitals where patients are waiting over three months for a colonoscopy have been instructed to refer these patients to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The NTPF has agreed to quickly arrange colonoscopies for patients who are referred to them. Each hospital grouping has therefore been identifying patients waiting over three months for a colonoscopy. These patients are being offered the option of an NTPF referral — except in a small number of cases where patients already have an appointment date from their referring hospital or in cases where a follow up colonoscopy is scheduled for up to a year ahead.

In December 2008, I approved the HSE's Service Plan. The HSE will be required to report under Section 10(2) of the Health Act 2004 on compliance with a target of 4 weeks for urgent colonoscopies from date of referral. The HSE has made considerable progress in reducing the waiting times for colonoscopies in recent months and will continue to work in collaboration with the NTPF in further reducing the waiting times.