Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive an appointment for surgery. [28170/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the De Puy ASR recall, the HSE has identified approximately 3, 500 patients who have received the affected implants - across 16 public and 14 private Hospital sites nationally. All of these patients were invited for a recall assessment to clinically assess their current medical status with regard to their implant. For the vast majority of patients, this was a precautionary assessment and in only a small percentage of cases, there was a requirement for further treatment and possibly surgery.

The patient referred to by the Deputy was seen at the De Puy ASR revision clinic on 23rd August 2011 and has been referred to Mr Chabbra, consultant, orthopaedic surgeon, for elective surgery. Revision surgery is based on clinical need, therefore should the patient or the patient's general practitioner consider that the their condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an operation. [28176/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies - mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 and facility involved.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Health the plans to be implemented by the Health Service Executive to ensure that paediatric rheumatology is made a priority service for children's health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28177/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I take it the Deputy is referring to the rheumatology services available at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin. The hospital is working with the HSE to ensure the appropriate resources are put in place for the delivery of rheumatology services. To this end a full time Consultant Rheumatologist post has been approved and is in the process of recruitment.