The success of new surgical procedures, such as bypass coronary artery grafting, has resulted in ever increasing demand worldwide for these procedures. As a result waiting lists are expanding despite the increase in facilities available. Hospital waiting lists are in fact a feature of all health care systems.
Heart surgery for public patients is performed in three locations: Cork Regional Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and the Mater Misercordiae Hospital.
There are special circumstances in relation to the recent build up of the waiting list at the Mater Hospital. The decision of the cardiac surgeons to retain patients at that hospital for the full duration of the post-operative stay has resulted in a reduction in the number of bypasses being performed and a consequent increase in the number on the waiting list. In order to restore activity to the previously agreed annual target figure of 750 I have provided special funds for the provision of ten additional cardiac beds.
The total costs involved in the project are very considerable: £235,000 for renovation and upgrading, £186,000 for equipment and a £400,000 annual staffing costs. The work is under way and it is hoped that it will be completed by the end of the year.
The cardiac surgery waiting list which includes patients from all health board areas, is reviewed by the cardiac consultants on a regular basis to assess each patient and to determine the priority attached to each case. The admission of a patient to hospital for cardiac surgery is a clinical decision taken by the consultant concerned and is solely based on the patient's condition and not on the length of time spent on the waiting list.
With regard to the longer term my Department's chief medical officer is examining the waiting list and other aspects of the service in consultation with the Irish Cardiac Society so that an overall strategy can be developed to meet the future demands for this type of service consistent with proper patient care.
