Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if a single waiting list for diagnostics is in place in each publicly funded hospital here; if consultants working in such hospitals are required to admit patients for treatment prioritised in accordance with this diagnostic arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26334/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The new hospital consultants' contract provides, in respect of consultants holding a Contract Type B, that a common waiting-list operated by the public hospital will apply to both public and private patients undergoing diagnostic investigations, tests and procedures (including radiology and laboratory procedures) on an out-patient basis in public hospitals (including referrals from General Practitioners). The contract requires that patients' status on the common waiting-list will be determined by clinical need only and that the list will be subject to clinical validation by the relevant Clinical Director. 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.

The implementation of this and the other provisions in the consultant contract is a matter for the HSE and I have therefore asked the Executive to respond in detail to the Deputy in the matter.