Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Health

Health Services Provision

Photo of Jim DalyJim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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686. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the current seven-week waiting time for adult ophthalmic services as confirmed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29128/14]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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HSE Community ophthalmology services provide assessment, information, and intervention for adult medical card holders with vision difficulties or blindness. The services have well developed procedures for investigating the type, degree and cause of vision disorders and for making timely interventions. Currently all referrals for community ophthalmology services are triaged on clinical need and placed on urgent or routine lists as required. The HSE also makes eye testing, treatment and optical appliances available to adult medical card holders through contracted optometrists and dispensing opticians.

The HSE is establishing an Ophthalmology Review Group with key stakeholders including the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology to examine issues around primary care ophthalmic services including population needs and adequacy of current services. This Review Group will make recommendations for the service which will address any current inadequacies and identify priorities to be addressed in the short-term.

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