408 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Cork will be called for orthopaedic surgery in view of the fact that the surgery has been considered necessary by their general practitioner and their consultant. [15542/10]

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the information requested.

However should the patient's general practitioner consider that her condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.