Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

818. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a colonoscopy and the measures, being undertaken to cut these waiting times. [42250/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The target for urgent colonoscopy is 4 weeks. Since 2011 there has only 1 patient has been in breach of this target, in August 2014. This patient was prioritised and dealt with in September 2014. With regard to general waiting lists, it is a key part of HSE Waiting List policy to treat patients in chronological order, unless clinical need dictates otherwise. The HSE is currently undertaking an analysis of growth rates in waiting list breaches to assess additional elective service capacity requirements.