DENIS L. LAWLOR, FRCSI,
Madam, - David Hickey's call (November 27th) for a commission of inquiry by Dáil Éireann into the current crisis in the health service is to be welcomed. We in plastic surgery would very much support this view. Like Mr Hickey, we too have been through "the normal channels" over the past number of years, endeavouring to improve the service for the public, but alas little has changed.
For those not familiar with the role of a plastic surgeon in the health service, let me explain. A large volume of our work deals with emergencies - mainly serious hand, limb and facial injuries as well as burns. These are the results of industrial, farming and road accidents. Today our workload has been increased significantly by accidents related to alcohol and drug abuse. Some patients require urgent treatment, mainly because of cancer of either the head, neck or skin. Routine plastic surgery involves corrective or reconstructive procedures.
Burns facilities are adequate but unfortunately the same cannot be said for the rest of plastic surgery.
We are more than aware of the enormous cost of the health service today to the taxpayer and do not in any way expect an "operate at will" policy for our speciality. However, emergencies that can take days to get into surgery, urgent procedures that take weeks or even longer to deliver and routine consultation that take up to two years or more, after which patients are placed on a never- ending waiting list, reflect an appalling service. Waiting -list initiatives are all very well but they do not in any way solve the underlying problems.
We urgently require a State-wide review of our speciality and feel that the health of our people is more important than all the present inquiries into planning and such matters. Regardless of the impending draconian cuts, some things should not be sacrificed. - Yours, etc.,
DENIS L. LAWLOR, FRCSI, Chairman, Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons, Eccles Street, Dublin 7.