Vol. 451 No. 2
54 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increasing numbers waiting for hip replacement operations in the Dublin area; if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who is on a waiting list will be called for this operation shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6288/95]
Limerick East): The position is that the number of patients on in-patient waiting lists is regularly monitored throughout the year. In line with the provisions of the programme A Government of Renewal, £8 million has been provided this year to continue the progress of the past two years in reducing waiting lists. The detailed allocation of the resources provided this year has yet to be finalised. However, as in the past two years, resources will be allocated shortly to those specialties where the waiting times for treatment are excessively long.
I understand that the patient in question, who has been awaiting a hip replacement operation in the Adelaide Hospital, has received an admission date of 24 April 1995 subject to bed availability on that day. The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of admissions to hospital is a matter for the consultant concerned and each patient is assessed to determine their medical priority. Should the patient feel that her condition has deteriorated, she should return to her general practitioner who will be in the best position to emphasise the urgency of her case to the consultant directly.
