Vol. 519 No. 5
184 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 can obtain the required keyhole surgery given the fact that this person has to undergo a range of medicines which have difficult side affects; and if he could outline the timeframe when this person will be treated by the public health system. [14122/00]
The responsibility for the provision of services at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, now rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department, therefore, has asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate this matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
185 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the waiting list for cataract operations in the Western Health Board area on 31 March 2000; the number of cataract operations carried out between January 1999 and June 1999 and July 1999 and January 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter of improvement of waiting times and reduction of waiting lists. [14129/00]
The provision of services in this instance is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to supply the statistical information requested directly to the Deputy.
The numbers on waiting lists have fallen by 2,485 on the end of December quarter. This welcome reduction has been achieved in a period of high levels of medical admissions due to flu like illnesses and is a reflection of the major priority that is being attached to addressing high waiting lists.
It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment. In this context, following a series of discussions with the chief executive officers of the health boards, I have today announced a £10 million initiative aimed at maximising available capacity in the system to enable an additional 7,600 waiting list procedures to be performed before the end of the year. This funding will be allocated on the basis of the performance of each agency in reaching the activity targets they have agreed. The proposals to be funded are based on a series of innovative measures including use of facilities during the traditional summer closures period, cross-contracting arrangements between agencies and from the private sector, extended theatre and ward opening times, extended weekend work and the contracting of activity from hospitals in Northern Ireland.
These short-term measures are being taken in tandem with longer-term measures associated with the £2 billion investment under the national development plan, the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the expert review group on the waiting list initiative and the national bed capacity review now under way. It is my intention to continue to take all available steps to address the short and longer term issues associated with lengthy waiting lists and waiting times.
186 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting time currently being experienced for mammograms in the North Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14130/00]
The mammography service currently provided in the Northern Western Health Board area is for women who are referred to the hospital by their general practitioner based on risk factors identified in the medical literature and symptoms on breast disease.
