Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the proposal to have a single waiting list for colonoscopies as a consequence of the agreeing of the new consultants contract will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20472/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The new Consultant Contract provides for a single waiting list for outpatient diagnostics. This agreement did not initially cover colonscopies, but this was subsequently agreed at my request. The HSE is now working to give effect to this agreement in relation to colonoscopies.

I have instructed the HSE to ensure that urgent colonoscopies are provided within four weeks. The HSE has established a special review group to identify and report on the number of patients who require urgent colonoscopies. The review group has begun work on establishing a process that will enable the information on urgent colonoscopies to be accurately recorded and reported. A system whereby any patient who requires an urgent colonoscopy will receive it within four weeks of referral is to be in place by the end of the year.

It is important to note that not all colonoscopies are urgent. All hospitals prioritise individuals with significant symptoms according to clinical need. Only a small proportion of patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In an average year, for example, there are some 2,000 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Ireland, while there are over 55,000 colonoscopies performed.

In the case of non-urgent colonoscopies, the HSE has instructed all hospitals to refer patients waiting for longer than three months to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The National Hospitals Office is actively encouraging all hospitals to continue to work with the NTPF to monitor waiting times and to refer those waiting over 3 months to the NTPF. The HSE's special review group will also examine the nature of the conditions for which patients are placed on the single waiting list for a colonoscopy. These include symptomatic patients, those recalled periodically and those for surveillance. The group will identify the specific actions required by the HSE to provide patients with a colonoscopy as soon as possible.

Finally, the HSE has also begun work on developing and implementing national guidelines for quality assurance of colonoscopy services. The HSE intends to make best use of the considerable existing knowledge and expertise as to how the management and quality of colonoscopy services can be optimised. To this end it has had preliminary engagement with some of the professional medical colleges.