Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Enda Kenny

Question:

168 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of eye specialists working within the Western Health Board area; the number of cataract operations carried out in the area for each of the past three years; the reason the waiting list is two and a half years; the average operating time for completion of a cataract operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15954/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The information requested by the Deputy is set out hereunder, the number of cataract operations performed in each year of the past three years is as follows:–

Year	Total
1998	666
1997	607
1996	700

The average length of time for each operation is 20 to 30 minutes There are three ophthalmic surgeons at University College Hospital, Galway

I have recently taken a range of significant initiatives to address the issue of waiting lists and waiting times for public in-patients. These include: the provision of £20 million for the treatment of patients on waiting lists. This represents an increase of two-thirds over the 1998 figure and is 2.5 times higher that the amount allocated by the previous government for waiting lists in 1997; the provision of £9 million to services for the older people. This will help to free up acute hospital beds, some of which are occupied at present by patients who cannot be accommodated in sub-acute or rehabilitation facilities; the provision of £2 million to selected Accident and Emergency services. This will again ensure that acute facilities are more easily available for elective work, including treatments for those on waiting lists; the issuing of a new Policy Circular and Guidelines to all relevant agencies regarding the way in which the Waiting List Initiative should be operated in future.

The policy circular and guidelines, issued by my Department on 7 January 1999, outline revised and updated procedures in relation to improving the liaison and communication arrangements between acute hospitals and general practitioners; ensuring a more effective management of waiting lists at acute hospital level through the appointment of an implementation group and a patient co-ordinator-bed manager in each hospital; improved management of out-patient waiting lists; and clarifying the criteria for inclusion on a public in-patient waiting list.

The policy circular reiterates the targets of treating adults in target specialities within twelve months, and of treating children in target specialities within six months.

Public in-patients waiting lists are maintained by every acute hospital in the country. In its recent policy circular on the operation of the waiting list initiative, my Department has emphasised to agencies the importance of validating these lists so that an accurate and up-to-date picture of the situation can be available at all times.

Seán Haughey

Question:

169 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay for out-patients in receiving an appointment with consultants in public hospitals having regard to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 with an appointment by Beaumont Hospital for April 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

With regard to this patient, I have asked the chief executive officer of Beaumont Hospital to investigate the position in this case and, given the particular circumstances, I have requested that they reply to the Deputy directly, as a matter of urgency.