Vol. 497 No. 6
188 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be scheduled for an assessment appointment for a hip replacement operation in view of the fact that she has been waiting for over three years. [26054/98]
The provision of medical treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.
189 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on the cardiac surgery waiting list in excess of six months, between six and 12 months and in excess of 12 months; the number of adults on the cardiac waiting list for more than 12 months; and the number of children on the cardiac waiting list for between six to 12 months and over 12 months. [26055/98]
Cardiac surgery in the public health sector is now carried out at four centres. Adult cardiac surgery is performed at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, St. James's Hospital and Cork University Hospital. Paediatric cardiac surgery is performed at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.
Public waiting list statistics are collected by hospitals and furnished to my Department on a quarterly basis. The figures for adults are recorded in two categories, those waiting between three and 12 months and those waiting over 12 months. In respect of children, the figures are recorded in two categories, those waiting between three and six months and those waiting over six months.
In relation to the information sought by the Deputy, I have provided a breakdown of the end of September 1998 waiting list returns, the latest quarterly returns available, in table 1 and table 2 attached. The Deputy will note from table 3, also attached, that the end of September 1998 waiting list total compares favourably with the figures for the same period last year, showing a reduction of 21 per cent for adults awaiting surgery and 34 per cent for children.
Public Cardiac Surgery Waiting Lists
Table 1
Adult Public Waiting List — End of September 1998
|
3-12 months |
> 12 months |
Total |
|
|
Adults |
333 |
832 |
1,165 |
|
3-6 months |
6-12 months |
> 12 months |
Total |
|
|
Children |
16 |
22 |
34 |
72 |
|
Total Adults |
Total Children |
|
|
End of September 1997 |
1,477 |
109 |
|
End of September 1998 |
1,165 |
72 |
