asked the Minister for Health the present position regarding the carrying out of hip operations for public patients in the Southern Health Board; and the plans he has to tackle the inordinate delay for patients in acute need of hip replacement operations.
Written Answers. - Southern Health Board Area Hip Operations.
280.
The funds allocated by the Southern Health Board for these services, out of its allocation for 1988, has led to a curtailment of implant operations.
While I am concerned about this situation and officers of my Department will be meeting officials of the Southern Health Board to discuss how the waiting list for hip operations for public patients can be improved on a phased basis, I should point out that 286 hip operations were performed this year for public patients in St. Mary's Hospital, Gurranebraher and Tralee General Hospital as against 240 last year.