Vol. 457 No. 2
81 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients in County Westmeath who are awaiting hip replacement operations; the average waiting time for such surgery in County Westmeath; and the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been on the waiting list for such a very long period. [15194/95]
Limerick East): Orthopaedic services for the population of the Midland Health Board area which includes County Westmeath are provided by the regional orthopaedic unit, general hospital, Tullamore.
The number of patients in County Westmeath awaiting hip replacement surgery in Tullamore is 34. Information relating to approximate waiting times is not routinely collected by my Department.
The person referred to by the Deputy has been placed on the waiting list for a hip replacement operation at Tullamore Hospital and, at this time, the hospital is not able to give an exact date of admission. The scheduling of surgery is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned, is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority. The patient's general practitioner should, accordingly, keep the consultant informed on a regular basis of the patient's condition.
