Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

181 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on outpatient waiting lists in the Southern Health Board area; the number of patients awaiting orthopaedic hip surgery; and the steps, if any, that are being taken to reduce the waiting list for hip operations in the Southern Health Board area.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

There are approximately 2,996 people on the orthopaedic out-patient waiting list in the Southern Health Board area at present while 307 people are on the inpatient waiting list for hip replacement surgery.

With regard to orthopaedic surgery generally, the Deputy will be aware that last year I approved the filling of a fifth consultant orthopaedic post in Cork on a permanent basis. In addition, the Southern Health Board has appointed a locum consultant orthopaedic surgeon who will take up duty on 1 July 1994. Approval was also given to the Southern Health Board in 1992 to provide new clean air theatre facilities at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher. The first theatre is expected to come into operation at the beginning of July of this year and the second theatre should be completed in September. I am satisfied that the fifth consultant post, additional locum post and new clean air theatre facilities will have a significant impact on the level of orthopaedic activity in the Southern Health Board area with a corresponding positive effect on the orthopaedic waiting lists in the area.