Waiting for biopsy results can be a difficult and traumatic time. People want and need to know the outcome as soon as possible. Their diagnosis and future treatment is dependent on these results. In south Tipperary, microbiology and histopathology services are located at University Hospital Waterford, where all pathology consultants are based. University Hospital Limerick, UHL, has revealed to me that demand on its services is over capacity. The average waiting time for non-urgent patient results in Tipperary University Hospital is currently 11 weeks. Biopsies for patients in north Tipperary are handled at UHL and there is currently a waiting list of three to four months, other than for endoscopies.

This is an appalling situation for County Tipperary patients. People are getting an initial diagnosis but then have to wait for what seems an eternity for confirmation. These unacceptable delays are causing huge distress to patients and families. It needs to be addressed urgently.

I thank the Deputy. I do not have the operational detail available to me to give him a substantive answer to his question. I acknowledge the concern and anxiety that is evident when patients have to wait that length of time for results. The Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, will get back to the Deputy.