HEALTH MINISTER URGED TO DEAL WITH DELAYS AT GUH PAIN CLINICS

Date Published: 25-Oct-2012

The Health Minister is being urged to implement a plan to deal with the long delays experienced by patients at the chronic pain clinic at Galway University Hospitals.

Galway Labour TD Derek Nolan received figures this week which show that 583 patients are waiting on appointments, with the longest waiting time of August 2010.

Two consultants provide pain management clinic sessions at GUH on a weekly basis, and in addition the pain clinic has weekly theatre access for interventional and non-interventional services.

There are also three clinical nurse specialists supporting the service.

Speaking in the Dail, Deputy Nolan highlighted the plight of one man diagnosed with fibromyalgia, who has waited for an appointment for almost 10 months.

Labour Minister Jan O’ Sullivan responded in the Dail on behalf of the Health Minister James Reilly.

She explained that patients were being dealt with on a priority basis