Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sligo General Hospital Waiting Lists.

Edward Nealon

Question:

172 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the total numbers of people and the number of people more than 12 months currently on the waiting lists at Sligo General Hospital in each of the specialities of ENT, gynaecology, opthalmics, orthopaedics and surgical.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The North-Western Health Board has advised me that the numbers presently on the waiting lists by each specialty are as follows:

	Total	Over 12 Months
ENT	364	53
Gynaecology	56	20
Ophthalmics	231	19
Orthopaedics	238	175
Surgical	87	24
Total	976	291

Edward Nealon

Question:

173 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the number of beds and wards to be closed in Sligo General Hospital over the Christmas period; the duration of the closures; and the effect these closures will have on the waiting lists.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The North-Western Health Board has advised me that the hospital will suspend elective activity in up to 43 beds in the ophthalmic, ENT and gynaecological departments during the period 12 December 1993 to 3 January 1994 inclusive. This is a period when there is a seasonal decrease for elective admissions and hospital staff take annual leave. All emergency and urgent services will, of course, continue to be provided.

As the Deputy will be aware, closures of some beds over the Christmas period is common practice in hospitals since patients are generally reluctant to enter hospital for elective procedures at that time.