Vol. 482 No. 3
218 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on a waiting list at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and the average waiting period for an appointment for public patients and for private patients. [17953/97]
I have had inquiries made of the hospital authoriites regarding this matter and I have been advised that the hospital does not have a dermatology in-patient waiting list as the small number of patients who require admission are usually emergency cases and are admitted as soon as possible. There are 150 patients on the hospital's public dermatology out-patient waiting list. I understand that the average waiting time is approximately six months. The consultant dermatologist holds a private clinic at the hospital, for which no waiting list data are available.
219 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the current waiting list by health board area for heart and lung transplants; the expected waiting times for those on these lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17954/97]
At present Irish patients considered to be in need of lung or heart-lung transplants are referred by their medical consultant for assessment to an established transplant centre in the UK and, if suitable, are put on a waiting list for a transplant.
The United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority is responsible for the central management and co-ordination of the lung, heart-lung transplant waiting list in Britain. Information supplied by the UKTSSA indicates that 11 residents from the Republic of Ireland are on the active waiting list for heart-lung transplantation. In addition four patients are classified as being on the suspended waiting list, either because they are not available for transplant at this time or because they are not well enough to undergo an operation. The following, as requested, is a breakdown of the current waiting list by health board area, as reported to the UKTSSA: Eastern Health Board seven; Western Health Board two; South-Eastern Health Board one; and North-Western Health Board one.
