138 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the request for an outpatient appointment at Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18706/10]

The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. 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 involved. However, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) operates an out-patient referral programme in a number of hospitals for certain specialties. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.