Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hip Replacement Surgery.

Seán Ryan

Question:

60 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting hip operations in the public health service in the greater Dublin area; and the number for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement in relation to the trend indicated.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

Information on hip replacement surgery is collected on a hospital basis and a patient living in one health board area may be on a waiting list for hip replacement surgery in another. The position is that there are two designated centres for hip replacement operations in the greater Dublin area, St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, and the Adelaide Hospital. There are currently 294 patients awaiting hip replacement operations in Cappagh Hospital, and 120 in the Adelaide Hospital. While the number of patients awaiting hip replacements at the two Dublin centres for 1987 and 1988 is not available, I can provide the Deputy with the following waiting list information. Numbers waiting on the list:

Hospital	1989	1990 (April)	1991 (Feb/March)
Cappagh	569	458	443
Adelaide	319	223	144

Between the two hospitals, a total of 816 hip replacement operations were carried out in 1990, and a total of 857 in 1991.

The average waiting period for a hip replacement in Cappagh Hospital is four to six months, and six to 12 months in the Adelaide.

The overall trend appears to be a reduction in the number of patients awaiting hip operations in the greater Dublin area, and this can be attributed to the increase in operations performed, particularly at Cappagh Hospital.