Michael Finucane
Question:187 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health if there will be any closure of beds or wards in Limerick Regional Hospital in summer 1993; and if so, the extent of such closures.
Written Answers. - Limerick Hospitals Waiting Lists.
Michael Finucane
Question:188 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the number on the present waiting lists in the various categories in limerick Regional Hospital.
Michael Finucane
Question:189 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the numbers on the waiting lists in the various categories in Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, County Limerick.
Michael Finucane
Question:190 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the expected impact and the extra finance granted to reduce the waiting lists of Croom Orthopaedic Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Finucane
Question:191 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the expected impact of the extra finance granted to reduce the waiting lists of Limerick Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191 together.
The most recent validated waiting list figures for Limerick Regional and Croom Orthopaedic Hospitals are as follows:
|
Dental |
58 |
|
ENT |
15 |
|
General Surgery |
811 |
|
Ophthalmology |
508 |
|
Orthopaedics |
494 |
One ward in Limerick Regional Hospital is currently closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen in September 1993. A fourth operating theatre is being provided at Limerick Regional Hospital. During the construction process it will be necessary to close the Ophthalmology and ENT wards for one month.
The provision of this theatre will enable the number of operations performed at Limerick Regional Hospital in 1993 to be significantly increased.
As part of the Waiting List Initiative announced in the Programme for a Partnership Government, a sum of £1.164 million has been allocated to the Mid-Western Health Board and this will enable an additional 1,185 operations to be performed in 1993, as follows:
Limerick Regional Hospital
|
ENT |
400 |
|
Ophthalmology |
275 |
|
General |
260 |
Regional Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom
|
Orthopaedics |
250 |
The overall aim of this initiative is to eliminate waiting lists in excess of 12 months in the targeted specialties and to set a maximum waiting time of six months in respect of children awaiting ENT or eye treatment. In relation to ENT surgery in Limerick Regional Hospital, the majority of the patients to be treated will first have to undergo assessment at the out-patient clinic, where there is a very lengthy waiting period, before being referred for surgery.
I am confident that this programme will bring about a major reduction in the length of time which patients in the Mid-West must wait for hospital treatment.