Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health the waiting time for colonoscopy examinations in the public health system for the years 2008 to 2012 inclusive; the number of patients waiting for colonoscopies during the same period; if he will provide a breakdown of same per Health Service Executive region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The target for patients prioritised as urgent for a colonoscopy is 28 days from referral. Census week of 26th June 2012 reported 2 patients waiting over 28 days referring to one hospital only Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. These patients were subsequently treated. All hospitals actively manage their process to ensure that no urgent patients wait over 28 days. It is intended by 30th September that no patients would be waiting more than 3 months for a non-urgent referral. Hospitals are actively working to reach the September target. June census data identified a total of 6,813 patients waiting for colonoscopies with 2,433 (36%) of that figure waiting over 3 months.

Volumes waiting and median wait time for colonoscopy procedures