Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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210. To ask the Minister for Health the number of person's waiting to be seen at the outpatients department at Beaumont Hospital; the number of patients waiting two or more years to be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49887/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Health his proposals to provide an immediate improvement in the waiting times for outpatients on the orthopaedic list in the north east particularly Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49893/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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For 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.

Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.