Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Alan Shatter

Question:

114 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons within each health board area currently awaiting cardiac surgery; and the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the time spent by patients awaiting such surgery. [16022/97]

Paul Bradford

Question:

120 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health and Children the total moneys allocated for cardiac surgery in 1997 in each relevant health board area; the amount spent to date in 1997; and the number of cardiac operations carried out in these health board areas to date in 1997. [16038/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 120 together.

Cardiac surgery is provided at two centres, the Mater Hospital and Cork University Hospital, and there has been substantial funding made available to both hospitals in recent years in respect of the development of cardiac surgery facilities. This year the Mater Hospital has been funded to perform 1,000 cardiac surgery procedures and Cork University Hospital has been funded to perform a total of 400 cardiac procedures. Specialty service budgets within individual hospitals are not a matter for the Department of Health. An overall annual service plan is agreed with hospitals within the total budget. Both hospitals have confirmed that they are on target to meet their agreed cardiac surgery activity levels by the end of the year.

The Deputy will also wish to know that a sum of £1.6 million is being made available under the 1997 waiting list initiative specifically for cardiac surgery patients, adults and children. As in 1996, the main aim is to reduce the existing national cardiac surgery lists. The Department's strategy for achieving this aim involves the purchase of additional cardiac procedures and the selection of suitable patients for medical cardiac therapies. I must emphasise that high standards of evaluation and audit will be applied to the initiative. Participating agencies will be required to demonstrate clearly how the additional activity has impacted upon existing waiting lists and a full report will be required from each hospital on the matter.

In relation to the Deputy's question regarding the number of persons currently awaiting cardiac surgery, within each health board area, this information is not routinely available. However, I have requested the hospitals concerned to provide this information and I will forward it to the Deputy when available.