Bernard J. Durkan
Question:156 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the extent by which he has succeeded in improving the hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24129/00]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Gay Mitchell
Question:630 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting times applicable to each speciality by hospital in respect of the hospital waiting list figures as at 30 June 2000. [24851/00]
Gay Mitchell
Question:631 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting list and waiting times applicable to each health board area in respect of the hospital waiting list figures as at 30 June 2000. [24853/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:641 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on waiting lists seeking attention for cataracts; the number of medical interventions carried out in this area in each of the past three years; the extent to which it is anticipated that the numbers on those lists will be reduced in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24867/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:642 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons awaiting hip operations; the number of these operations which have taken place in each of the past three years; the extent to which it is anticipated that waiting lists will be reduced in this regard in 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 630, 631, 641 and 642 together.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the overall numbers on waiting lists as at 30 June 2000, our latest available figures, fell by 5,004 which is a reduction of 13.58% on the end of the December 1999 quarter. This welcome reduction is a reflection of the major priority that is being attached to addressing high waiting lists. I outline the detailed breakdown of the waiting list figures in the format collected by my Department as requested by the Deputies.
The number of reported cataract operations was 3,267 in 1997, 4,852 in 1998 and 5,483 in 1999. The number of persons on waiting lists for cataract operations at 30 June 2000 was 2,769.
The number of reported hip operations was 3,957 in 1997, 4,319 in 1998 and 4,530 in 1999. The number of persons on waiting lists for hip operations at 30 June 2000 was 1,033. The latest activity data for 2000 is not yet available.
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 earlier this year, I announced a £10 million initiative aimed at maximising available capacity in the system to enable additional waiting list procedures to be performed before the end of the year. This brings the dedicated funding to waiting list procedures to £34 million this year.
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.