Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Building on these engagements and to oversee the response to the specific short-term impact
of Grace Period retirements, I have established a formal Transition Team for the health sector,
chaired by the Assistant Secretary in my Department with responsibility for Human Resources
and Professional Regulation. The other members of this Team are the HSE National Director
of Integrated Services, the Executive’s National Director of Quality and Patient Safety and the
four Regional Directors of Operations. The Transition Team first met on 2 February 2012.
Hospital Waiting Lists
682. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for urgent
surgical intervention in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will
make a statement on the matter. [7925/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I am determined to address the issues which
cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have
established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute
services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining
waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies
— mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had
no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of
hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery
of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the
patient’s general practitioner consider that the patient’s condition warrants an earlier appointment,
he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and
facility involved.
Medical Cards
683. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical
card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when a
decision will be made. [7927/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
EU Directives
684. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the maximum number of hours
doctors are allowed to work concurrently in hospitals under the EU working time directives;
and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7930/12]
685. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive
asks doctors to sign documentation concerning the EU working time directive before working
in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7931/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685
together.
S.I. No. 494 of 2004 European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of
Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive,
provides for:
• A maximum 48 hour average working week;
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