A Mater Hospital consultant refused to co-operate with the National Treatment Purchase Fund and treat his own patient through the fund, it was claimed in the Dáil.
Independent TD Mr Tony Gregory (Dublin Central) said that the patient, a man in his early 20s, had been admitted to the Mater Hospital in June last year requiring immediate surgery and a colostomy operation was performed by the consultant.
The patient "was assured that a reverse procedure would be possible and would be carried out within three months". He heard nothing and contacted the hospital to be told there were no beds, a ward had been closed and he would have to wait.
"So he waited and waited and heard nothing. Today, nine months later that unfortunate man is still waiting, despite repeated calls to the hospital and the traumatic nature of his condition." Mr Gregory said he spoke to the young man's consultant who said his chances of getting into hospital were "remote".
The young man's family had contacted him in March to assist them because they were afraid their son "might become suicidal because of his urgent medical needs". This was the second time he had raised the case in the Dáil.
Mr Gregory had advised the family to contact the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Personnel there believed that "due to nature of the condition and the possibility of recurring medical problems, it would be in his best interests to be treated again in the same hospital". But "apparently the problem is that the consultant has not been prepared to co-operate with the National Treatment Purchase Fund for some unknown treason and has refused to treat his own patient under the auspices of the fund".
"Equity of access to health care simply does not exist in this State for the public patient who must endure demeaning indignity of our waiting lists in public hospitals," the TD insisted.
"I believe this young man's treatment or lack of treatment demands immediate action," he said. "Who would believe that the Ireland of today, one of the most affluent countries in the world, treats its citizens in this despicable manner."
The Minister of State for Health, Mr Ivor Callely, agreed with the principle Mr Gregory raised and said there should be no delay in treatment. He pointed out that responsibility for the provision of particular hospital services to residents in the area in which the person resides rested with ERHA and their area boards and the services of the Mater were provided under an arrangement with the authority. "My department has asked the chief executive of the ERHA to investigate the case" and to reply directly to Mr Gregory.
