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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

77 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is concerned at the ongoing problems regarding ready access to hospitals with particular reference to patients requiring heart surgery, hip replacement and cataract removal; the number of hospital beds available for such procedures at present; the extent to which the number has increased over the past ten years; the extent to which the number of patients has increased in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6002/01]

At the outset, I wish to emphasise that I am very concerned at the length of the waiting times endured by many patients for access to acute hospital procedures. The in-patient waiting list for cardiac surgery, hip replacement and cataract removal are three of the target specialities identified for specific waiting list initiative funding. As a result of the structured approach being taken by this Government, the overall numbers on waiting lists as at 30 September 2000, as reported to my Department by health agencies, fell by 7,198 which is a reduction of 19.5% 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.

The number of people on waiting lists for cardiac surgery in December 1993, the first year of the waiting list initiative, was 1,401. The latest figure available at September 2000 is 764 which represents a reduction of 45% in the waiting list. The number of people on waiting lists for hip replacement surgery in December 1993 was 986. The latest figure available at September 2000 is 1,021 which represents an increase of 3% in the waiting list.

The number of people on waiting lists for cataract operations in December 1993 was 1,379. The latest figure available at September 2000 is 2,523. The number of cataract operations undertaken annually has also increased in line with increased demand for the procedure – from 3,267 in 1997 to 5,483 in 1999, representing an increase of 68% in the period.

The number of acute hospital beds has increased from 11,868 in 1990 to 12,292 at the end of 1999, the latest date for which audited figures are available. The designation of these beds, whether surgical, medical etc. is a matter for the individual hospitals depending on demand on services from time to time.

As the Deputy may be aware, I have initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors. I have presented the interim findings of the review to my Government colleagues and identified a range of short to medium-term investment proposals aimed at addressing identified service difficulties in both sectors. Further work is now being undertaken to develop a longer term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors. The second phase of the review will be completed in spring 2001.

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