Theresa Ahearn
Question:96 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the number of people awaiting hip operations in South Tipperary; and if he will outline the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting time.
Written Answers. - Hip Operations.
There are currently 68 patients awaiting hip replacement operations in South Tipperary.
It will be of interest to the Deputy to know that, in 1990, my Department approved an additional £517,000 for the provision of elective orthopaedic services in the South-Eastern Health Board area. This amount has now been built into the Board's annual allocation and it has enabled the output of hip replacement operations to be increased from 71 in 1989 to 137 in 1991. In addition, following a joint Department/Comhairle na nOspidéal review of orthopaedic services, my Department recently approved two replacement posts and one additional post of consultant orthopaedic surgeon for the South-Eastern Health Board. These appointments will further improve the orthopaedic service available in the region.