Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Noel Ahern

Question:

590 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give details of the waiting lists for knee replacements and orthopaedic operations; if any special initiative is being financed in this regard; the maximum average waiting time at present; and the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 can be on the priority list but will still have to wait two years. [20030/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The hospital in-patient waiting list data as at 30 June 2000, the latest date for which figures are available, in the format collected by my Department is as follows:

Adults	3-12 Months	12 Months and over
Knee replacement	341	278
Total orthopaedicwaiting list	2,411	2,435
Children	3-6 Months	12 Months and over
Total orthopaedicwaiting list	37	81

Dedicated waiting list funding is allocated to each hospital which specifically treats patients who are on a waiting list. In this regard, £34 million has been allocated under the waiting list initiative in 2000.

The responsibility for the provision of services at St. James's Hospital is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance. My Department has asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.