Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

24 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the changes, if any, necessary to ensure that all patients have full access to medical treatment without undue delay; and the amount of extra money which will have to be allocated to ensure this.

Martin Cullen

Question:

53 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Health when he plans to announce his long-awaited proposals to tackle hospital waiting lists.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 53 together.

Full access to medical treatment is available to all patients and admission for treatment is dictated by clinical needs with priority given to urgent cases. However, the Government recognises, that waiting lists for a number of particular specialities are giving cause for concern. In order to tackle this problem, the Deputy will be aware that the Government has allocated £20 million for a major action programme to reduce waiting times in the areas of orthopaedic surgery (hip replacement and other procedures), ophthalmology (cataract), ear, nose and throat surgery, cardiac surgery (by-pass operations), vascular surgery (varicose veins) and plastic surgery. The Government objective is to eliminate waiting lists in excess of 12 months in these specialities and to set a maximum period of 6 months for children awaiting ENT or eye treatment.

Discussions regarding waiting lists are nearing completion with the various hospitals and health boards I will shortly be announcing my decisions in regard to the allocation of the £20 million.