Brandon Bolger hospital cancellation
Senator Murnane O'Connor complained that she had not been answered and raised the repeated cancellation of Brandon Bolger's hospital appointment. The Leader apologised, said the cancellation was inexcusable and should not recur, but stressed the scale of health spending and referred to the forthcoming HSE Governance Bill.
My apologies, the Leader never answered my question.
Comment on this
Tá súil agam go ngabhfaidh an Seanadóir Murnane O'Connor mo leithscéal. Can I just make the point-----
Comment on this
I do apologise. I did not mean to forget the Senator; how could I have?
Comment on this
The issue in respect of Brandon Bolger is absolutely inexcusable. The Senator cannot blame the Government for an appointment being cancelled. That is a matter for the hospital, the physician, the oncologist or whatever facility the young boy is attending. As somebody who is deeply aware of the effects of cancer, I know it is important that the young boy in question should receive timely treatment and intervention. If the Senator tabled a Commencement matter yesterday - I did not know she had-----
Comment on this
It was a few days ago.
Comment on this
-----then an assurance needs to be given that it will not happen again. However, as the Senator knows, sometimes procedures and appointments are cancelled for a variety of reasons. It is not always because of issues relating to funding, staffing or resourcing. It is upsetting to the young boy and his family that it has been cancelled more than once.
Comment on this
It has been cancelled three times. I received a commitment to the effect that it would not happen again and an apology from the Minister.
Comment on this
It happened again yesterday.
Comment on this
It should not happen. Nobody on this side of the House - or anybody else - would condone the cancellation of an appointment but it is important to recognise that €17 billion is being invested in the health budget, the highest amount ever.
Comment on this
It has to be put to good use. We need beds and staff.
Comment on this
That is my point. The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2018 will be debated in the House later. The HSE was created by the Senator's party leader when he was Minister for Health and Children. He created this mammoth institution.
Comment on this
I know that mistakes were made, but we are seven years on.
Comment on this
The Senator is very good at giving it out, but she will not listen.
Comment on this
I listen to everything.
Comment on this
I am happy to conclude on that point.