Enda Kenny
Question:245 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list in respect of orthopaedic operations in the Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Enda Kenny
Question:246 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for ear, nose and throat treatment in the Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Enda Kenny
Question:248 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the waiting lists for cataract operations in the Western Health Board area for each of the past five years; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 245, 246 and 248 together.
On 31 December 1992 there were 467 patients awaiting orthopaedic treatment, 415 patients on the waiting list for ear, nose and throat treatment, and 490 patients awaiting cataract operations in the Western Health Board area.
The Deputy will be aware of the £20 million major action programme which I recently launched in relation to hospital in-patient waiting lists was specifically targeted at those areas of hospital treatment where long waiting times are causing the greatest hardship. The Western Health Board has been allocated £2,192,600 from the waiting list fund. This will enable the board to carry out an additional 1,884 procedures this year of which 160 will be opthopaedic, 350 ear, nose and throat and 250 cataracts. This should impact significantly on the average waiting times in these areas.