asked the Minister for Health the number of patients at present awaiting hip replacement operations in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath.
118.
Written Answers. - Hip Replacement Operations.
117.
asked the Minister for Health the number of public patients who received hip replacements in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath in 1988.
119.
asked the Minister for Health the number of private patients who received hip replacement operations in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, County Meath in 1988.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118 and 119 together.
There are at present 215 patients awaiting hip replacement operations at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. The number of public patients who received hip replacements at Our Lady's Hospital in 1988 was 171 while 31 private patients received hip replacements.
I should point out that the three orthopaedic consultants at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan are now dealing solely with the North Eastern Health Board counties. Prior to 1987 orthopaedic surgery for Longford and Westmeath was also done at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan but this is now carried out at the General Hospital in Tullamore. I might add that consultant staffed orthopaedic services are also provided at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
I am confident that the improvement in the waiting list for hip replacement will continue in the North Eastern Health Board and, in time, will show a considerable reduction.