Breast clinic waiting times
Pearse Doherty raises the long waits for women in Donegal awaiting breast disease clinic appointments. The Taoiseach says the issue is not tied to promised legislation and advises a parliamentary question to the Health Minister.
There are many grand statements, promises and commitments in the programme for Government. I want to address waiting times, in particular those with concerns for breast cancer treatment. What will the Government do about the fact that 143 women in County Donegal, who have been referred by their GPs to the systematic breast disease clinic, have been waiting over a year to be seen? Hundreds of others have been waiting six months for an appointment.
As a former Minister for Health, the Taoiseach will know the concern these women are experiencing, waiting this undue time. What will the Government do about this? Is the Taoiseach aware that another person in the clinic in question will be going on leave shortly? This delay is unacceptable and the Government needs to step in.
