Written answers
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Department of Health and Children
Hospital Services
12:00 pm
Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the carrying out of surveillance mammograms for treated breast cancer patients will resume at Sligo General Hospital; the reasons this service was discontinued despite a promise that these mammograms would continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16852/10]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive, it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested by the Deputy in regard to the delivery of services. However, I can state that Breast cancer diagnosis and surgery was transferred from Sligo General Hospital to University Hospital Galway (UHG) in August 2009. The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) intends to continue the provision of follow-up mammography services in Sligo so that women in Sligo will not need to travel to Galway for these services.
The establishment of an outreach service in Sligo requires a radiographer to travel from UHG to undertake the follow-up mammography. The commencement of this service has been delayed. The waiting list for the service was cleared by BreastCheck staff in February who linked with the symptomatic service in UHG. The HSE are working to put arrangements in place for follow-up mammography in Sligo.
Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 19 January 2010, the reason it will take 15 months before this person will be seen by a consultant and in view of the medical urgency; if this appointment can be expedited. [16853/10]
Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested. However, I would like to advise the Deputy that the scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved. The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case
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