asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are arthritic patients in the North Western Health Board region on the waiting list for surgery in Galway Regional Hospital since March, 1974; and if he will make provision to have them admitted for treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Arthritic Patients.
23.
I am informed that there are arthritic patients from the North Western Health Board area awaiting hip-joint replacement surgery at Merlin Park (Regional) Hospital, Galway, and that a few of these have been on the list since March 1974.
As I explained in reply to previous questions about hip joint replacement, the very success of this type of operation has built up an increased demand for it and for extra efforts to overtake the backlog and provide for future demands.
The orthopaedic service for the North Western Health Board area is provided from Merlin Park Hospital and the distance factor has been a particular disadvantage in the delivery of orthopaedic hospital care for that area.
I may mention that I am considering proposals recently submitted by the North Western Health Board to the effect that Manorhamilton General Hospital should change its role so as to provide an orthopaedic service for the North Western area.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is a public scandal that there are people suffering on crutches who could be enjoying normal health; that they have been kept waiting since March, 1974, for treatment which is not available to them while private patients have been able to get this treatment? This is a serious reflection on how the system is being supervised from the top and the Minister must carry the serious responsibility involved in this case. Not merely Manorhamilton hospital but Sheil Hospital in Ballyshannon should be available for this service if essential treatment is to be provided in these cases.
I personally take exception to the Deputy's description of the situation as a public scandal because whether in the North or in the South—and I am very familiar with what goes on in the South—it is not unusual even for private patients to have to wait two years for a hip operation. I agree that there is a problem in the Deputy's area but we hope to implement plans that were only recently submitted by the health board to ensure that Manorhamilton hospital will be used to provide this service.
The Minister is not condoning the fact that some of these people sought this treatment as far back as March, 1974, and have since passed to their eternal reward without the treatment which might have saved their lives.
It is unfortunate that even private patients who sought hip operations a couple of years ago have also passed to their reward before they were able to get treatment. Requiescant in pace.
Is it not a fact that at Cappagh Hospital the waiting period for private patients is longer than two years? This is something I know to be true.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the North Western Health Board have sent proposals to the Department for the provision of a new orthopaedic unit in the health board area?
That is a separate question.