Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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368. To ask the Minister for Health if he will prioritise funding under the waiting list action plan for outpatient gynaecological appointments in view of the fact that to date in 2017 the waiting list is a year at the Coombe hospital and in view of the fact that such appointments can detect potential cancers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22801/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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This government is committed to reducing waiting times for patients whether for in-patient, day-case procedures or out-patient appointments. In November 2016 the HSE launched a 'Strategy for the design of integrated outpatients services 2016-2020', which aims to improve access for non-admitted patients to the best modern healthcare, in the most appropriate setting, when it is needed. The strategic plan involves consultation with managers, clinicians, patients and primary care services to redesign services and maximise efficiencies which is particularly important as the population increases and ages, resulting in even greater demands on our health service. The strategy aims to improve access to diagnostics, consultations, in-patient procedures and on-going community support by restructuring referral pathways and utilising technology to improve service delivery.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.