Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting sur gery for the removal of cataracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/99]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients who will be removed from hospital waiting lists in 1999; the number of new patients likely to join these lists on the basis of previous experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14189/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting heart surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14190/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:112 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients awaiting hip replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 110, 111 and 112 together.
The figures requested by the Deputy are: adults awaiting cataract operation, 2,826; adults awaiting total hip replacements, 1,317; patients awaiting cardiac surgery, 1,187.
As the Deputy will be aware, figures are collected on a quarterly basis and these figures relate to the quarter ended 31 March 1999.
I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that the overall number of patients awaiting medical procedures at the end of March this year is reduced from the figure at the end of 1998. This reduction is undoubtedly due to the considerable initiatives I have undertaken since coming into office in relation to the management of the waiting list initiative. These include an allocation of £20 million to agencies for the treatment of patients on waiting lists; the provision of £9 million to services for older people; the provision of £2 million to selected accident and emergency services; the issuing of a new policy circular and guidelines to all relevant agencies regarding the way in which the waiting list should be operated.
The number of patients who will receive treatment this year, as a result of the waiting list initiative funding, is currently being collated. The service agreements for 1999, which will specify what procedures health agencies will perform under the initiative, are due into my Department and I expect to be in receipt of all agreements shortly.
I am confident that these initiatives will continue to have a significant positive impact on waiting lists for the remainder of the year, and more importantly that waiting times for public patients will be reduced.