Vol. 512 No. 7
168 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients requiring treatment for the removal of cataracts; the number treated in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27294/99]
169 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number in need of hip replacements; the number treated in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27295/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.
The number of patients awaiting cataract operations at the end of September 1999, the latest date for which figures are available, is 2,968. This figure has fallen by 188 since the end of June 1999. The number of persons waiting for hip operations at the end of September 1999, also the latest date for which figures are available, is 1,016.
The total number of cataract related procedures carried out in 1998 was 3,838. The total number of hip replacement operations carried out for the same period was 3,929. These figures include operations carried out under the waiting list initiative.
