Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Limerick Hospital Waiting Lists.

Mr. M. Smith

I have received many requests from constituents of mine who are awaiting admission to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital for hip replacement operations and other procedures. It is a matter of grave concern to me that there is now such a long waiting list that it will be years before some of those patients are treated. That is intolerable and we cannot allow it to happen. There are almost 1,000 patients on the waiting list, over 200 for hip replacement operations and 750 for other procedures. Orthopaedic surgery is one of the areas in medical science that has experienced phenomenal success in the past 20 years. Enormous social and lifestyle benefits are afforded by it. What can now be achieved in this field is almost a miracle. Long may it last.

I realise that as people live longer and are more motivated to be up and about, the likelihood of fractures and the need for specialist orthopaedic surgery increases, displacing patients awaiting hip replacements and other operations. It also seems that the general hospitals have ceased to handle any trauma of an orthopaedic nature. As a result, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital is swamped with the volume of trauma cases. The Minister will appreciate that the situation which pertains at present cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. He must immediately ensure that the Mid-Western Health Board increases the operative time for surgeons in that hospital, provide additional anaesthetists and increase the theatre space and do anything else that is necessary to bring about an improvement so that hip replacement operations can be more expediously carried out.

I acknowledge the advances in the midwest and the investment which the Minister for Health made in the regional hospital and other places which, in time, will help in dealing with these matters. Many of these changes will have long-term benefits for the communities in the midwest. I want to use this opportunity to earnestly request him to do whatever is in his power to relieve the pain endured at present by patients waiting a long time for hip replacement operations and other procedures. A waiting list of 1,000 must be as unacceptable to him as it is to me. Therefore, I ask him to do whatever possible in the interim to give some relief in this area. That is my plea.

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism and Trade (Mr. O'Sullivan)

I apologise for the absence of the Minister.

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to respond to this issue. One of the difficulties faced in dealing with hospital orthopaedic services generally, is the ever-increasing demand for this service. This is evidenced by the numbers seeking orthopaedic services and the great strides which have been made in recent times in orthopaedic joint replacement surgery. Indeed, the success of joint replacement surgery, such a hip and knee replacements has led to an upward surge in demand for these services all over the country.

The increase in the demand for orthopaedic services has in turn led to demands for an expansion of facilities to cater for this new workload. For instance, in the Mid-Western Health Board area trauma attendance at injury clinics has increased by 53 per cent in the period from 1989 to 1995.

St. Nessan's Hospital, Croom is the regional centre for orthopaedic services for the Mid-Western Health Board. The Deputy has referred to immediate steps to improve the situation in relation to orthopaedic services at Croom Hospital. I would like to set out the following. Since coming to power this Government provided £300,000 to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital for ward refurbishment. In addition £90,000 was provided in 1995 to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital for the acquisition of orthopaedic medical equipment.

Phase I of the redevelopment of Limerick Regional Hospital, which was sanctioned by this Government, includes the provision of a dedicated orthopaedic theatre. As the Deputy will be aware this building work is ongoing. Planning of phase II of Limerick Regional Hospital is currently in progress and will incorporate a 30 bed orthopaedic ward. I acknowledge the Deputy's generous recognition of this investment. It is appreciated.

It will be seen that much work is under way to improve orthopaedic services for the people of the Mid-Western Health Board Region. The waiting list initiatives of recent years have also contributed greatly to improve access to orthopaedic services for people in this region. Between the years 1993 and 1996, inclusive, a total of £2.844 million has been allocated to the Mid-Western Health Board area under the waiting list initiatives. Orthopaedic surgery has been one of the specialities which has been specifically targeted and a total of 700 additional procedures have been funded in the Mid-Western Health Board area.

Despite ongoing developments there is room to improve and to make orthopaedic services more accessible and available to the patients who need them. However, I am sure the Deputy will agree that much has been achieved in the development of orthopaedic services in the Mid-Western Health Board area since this Government assumed power.

I assure the Deputy that I share the concern he expressed for the people on the waiting list and I will convey his concern to the Minister.