asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the inordinate waiting period for ophthalmic services and hip replacement treatment for County Wexford; if he is aware that such periods extend to 15 months in instances; the proposals he has to ensure that the periods are reduced to acceptable levels such as two months as in other countries.
Written Answers. - County Wexford Ophthalmic Services.
118.
I understand from the South Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the provision of health services in County Wexford, that the average waiting periods for ophthalmic services for that county are four to five months for out-patient clinics, and eight months for routine non-urgent in-patient admission to the regional ophthalmology unit at Ardkeen General Hospital, Waterford. In relation to hip replacement operation in the regional orthopaedic unit at Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, the average waiting period for Wexford patients is seven months. These figures compare favourably with other health board areas. I am aware that within this average figure for hip replacements there are a small number of patients waiting as long as 15 months. The decision to call these patients for surgery is a clinical matter.
The developments approved for Ardkeen General Hospital Waterford and Wexford, and planned for St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, will lead to an improvement in orthopaedic services for the South Eastern Health Board area as a whole.