Vol. 425 No. 7
451 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the waiting list for heart operations; the average waiting time; the number of these operations carried out in the most recent 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There are 1,305 patients awaiting cardiac surgery as at 31 January 1993. 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 on the waiting list.
There were 1,499 heart operations carried out in 1992.
£20 million will be provided in 1993 for a major action programme to reduce hospital in-patient waiting lists. Cardiac surgery will be a priority in the allocation of funds for this major action programme and I will be announcing my decision in this matter in the coming weeks.
