O’Connor concerned by delays at Tallaght Hospital unit

Dublin South West T.D. Charlie O’Connor has written to the Minister for Health Mary Harney T.D. following the decision by Tallaght Hospital to close referrals to its adult and paediatric dermatology service.

“I appreciate that Tallaght Hospital say they are taking this decision to ensure the delivery of safe care to patients but this is still a real concern,” said Deputy O’Connor.

“The hospital has said the number of dermatology referrals received exceeds the number of patients it can treat.  But the fact that the referral service is closed now for seven months indicates this build was coming for some time.”

“I’ve written to the Minister about this matter.  I will also be raising the issue with Tallaght Hospital.  I want to know why this is the first we’ve heard of this.  I find it totally astonishing that seven months worth of referrals just landed on the hospital’s door overnight.”

“I have long been urging Tallaght Hospital to reach out more to the community and I understand a process is being put in place to do this.  I’m very happy about that and I hope it will improve the flow of information to the community about services at the hospital.”

“I am now urging the HSE and the hospital to work together to find a way of restoring the adult and paediatric dermatology service in Tallaght Hospital in a time-frame that’s much shorter than seven months,” concluded Deputy O’Connor who is a member of the Joint Committee on Health and Children.