Séamus Hughes
Question:275 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health whether a hip operation for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be expedited in view of the delay in this case. [2090/94]
Written Answers. - Hip Operation.
The person concerned is on the in-patient waiting list for orthopaedic treatment at Merlin Park Regional Hospital but it is not possible at this stage for the hospital authorities to give an admission date.
The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of hospital admissions is a matter for the consultant concerned and each case is assessed to determine medical priority. Should the patient feel concerned that his condition has detriorated, 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 1994 waiting list initiative, 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 targeted.
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.