Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when his attention was first drawn to the 12 to 18 month waiting list for endoscopy at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin; if he has ascertained the resource needs and other issues which need to be addressed; the immediate action he proposes to take to address this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13692/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A statement on the issue of waiting times for endoscopies was issued by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin on 24 May 2011. A copy of this statement was forwarded to my office on the same day. There has been a very significant increase nationally in the number of children presenting to Crumlin Hospital with possible bowel diseases which has led to an increased demand for diagnostic endoscopies.

The hospital has provided extra theatre time to consultants to carry out additional endoscopies in 2010 and 2011. Despite extra theatre time being made available, there remains a challenge to keep pace with growing demand for these procedures. In order to address this challenge, the hospital is taking a number of further steps. The Clinical Director for the three Dublin children's hospitals has been working to identify opportunities available over the three sites to improve capacity for endoscopies.

Crumlin Children's Hospital is also making use of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to address the waiting time issue. In 2010, the hospital referred 45 patients for endoscopies to the NTPF. This year, to date, the hospital has referred a further 40 patients to NTPF. The hospital is currently carrying out a validation exercise in relation to waiting lists for endoscopies. The Clinical Director and senior hospital management are actively working with the Gastroenterology Service in Crumlin in relation to the waiting list process for endoscopies. I have been assured by the hospital that all patients are assessed and prioritised on the basis of their clinical needs.