Question:
188 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for ENT consultations or surgery at Tallaght hospital; and the plans he has to cut waiting times. [14168/00]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
The ENT in-patient waiting list figures for the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, as at 31 March 2000 are as follows:
ENT Waiting List 31st March 2000
|
3-6 months |
Over 6 months |
Total |
|
|
Adults |
93 |
180 |
273 |
|
Children |
24 |
32 |
56 |
These figures show a decrease of 30% in the number of children on the ENT waiting list for the hospital since 31 December 1999. The number of adults on the hospital's waiting list for this specialty has risen by 7.5% over the same period.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the numbers on national waiting lists have fallen by 2,485 or 6.75% 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.