Jim Higgins
Question:113 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing medical treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who has an orthopaedic problem with his feet. [1191/94]
Written Answers. - Provision of Orthopaedic Treatment.
The patient concerned was placed on the out-patient waiting list for orthopaedic treatment at Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway on 7th June 1994 but it is not possible for the Western Health Board to provide an appointment date at this stage.
The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of hospital appointments is a matter for the consultant concerned and urgent cases are always given priority. Should the patient feel that his condition has deteriorated he should return to his general practitioner who is in the best position to emphasise the urgency of his case directly to the consultant.
The Deputy will be aware that under the Waiting List Initiative 1994 a total of £850,000 has been allocated to the Western Health Board for the provision of 1,222 additional procedures, including 109 orthopaedic procedures. This should help to reduce the overall waiting time for patients in the specialties targetted.
In addition, Development Funds of £400,000 were provided to the Board this year for the expansion of orthopaedic services at Merlin Park Regional Hospital. As a result, approval has issued to the Western Health Board to recruit a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and a consultant anaesthetist together with the necessary support staff.