Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

641 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of bypass operations carried out in each of the acute hospitals; the number of consultants in these hospitals involved in such procedures; the number of private procedures carried out in each of the hospitals; and the number of procedures on public patients. [20475/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

As the Deputy is aware, adult cardiac bypass surgery in the public health sector is carried out at three centres, the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Cork University Hospital and since September 1998, St James's Hospital, Dublin. Paediatric cardiac surgery is carried out at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

I have had inquiries made of the Eastern Regional Health Authority and Cork University Hospital and the information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:

Hospital	Number of Bypass procedures 01.01.00 – 31.08.00	Number of Surgeons	Number of private bypass procedures carried out	Number of bypass procedures on public patients
Cork University	274	2	Not available	Not available
Mater Hospital	508	5	Not available	Not available
St James's Hospital	234	3	Not available	Not available

Figures in relation to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin are not included in the above table as coronary artery bypass surgery is not carried out on children.

The information requested on the number of private bypass procedures carried out in each of the hospitals and the number of bypass procedures on public patients is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. However, I have asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority and Cork University Hospital to collate the information which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.