Liz McManus
Question:290 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the number on hospital waiting lists at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/99]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
The latest date for which detailed validated information is available in respect of waiting lists is 30 September 1999. On that date there were 33,555 persons on public in-patient waiting lists. This represents a reduction of 3,328, or 9%, in the first three quarters of this year. Following the industrial action by nurses, my Department sought an estimate from agencies of total in-patient waiting lists as on 31 October and the total figure estimated by agencies on that date was 37,326.
The decrease of 9% in in-patient waiting lists between January and September of this year demonstrates that agencies were making solid progress and that the approach recommended by the review group on the waiting list initiative was paying dividends. While the nurses industrial action has since adversely affected the situation, I am committed to pursuing the policies proposed by the review group so that waiting lists and waiting times can be reduced while also addressing the underlying causes of their existence. I am also working with agencies to ensure that any backlogs created by the strike are being dealt with speedily. My Department has written to the relevant agencies to emphasise the importance of meeting the activity targets set out in their service plan for 1999, and has met with them to address how best to deal with the backlogs.
I have allocated a further £23.5 million to agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2000. This represents an increase of 17.5% over the £20 million allocated in 1999, and is almost three times the amount allocated by the previous Government in 1997.