Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for an appointment with each specialist located at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The average waiting time in the hospital referred to by the Deputy varies by specialty and between urgent and routine appointments. Depending on the specialty and degree of urgency, a number of consultants see urgent patients within a week. However, the average waiting time for routine appointments differs according to consultant and individual circumstances.

As Minister for Health I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. The Government is committed to establishing a Special Delivery Unit (SDU) to improve access to the emergency and elective care system. The SDU is a Government priority and is one of the commitments from the Programme for Government 2011-2016 to be achieved within the first 100 days. Extensive work is currently being undertaken in designing this Unit, based on an initiative in Northern Ireland, which substantially reduced waiting lists over two to three years.