Vol. 533 No. 3
199 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the contents of a letter from a consultant cardiologist (details supplied) in relation to the clearing of the waiting list for echocardiograms; if he will provide the resources required to clear the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8753/01]
The Deputy will appreciate that the scheduling of hospital procedures is a matter for the relevant hospital based upon clinical priority.
The number of people at present waiting for cardiology services at Tallaght hospital is 36. This is a reduction of 58% on the number waiting for such services at the end of December 1999 quarter.
It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment. Dedicated funding for waiting list procedures of £34 million was allocated last year to health agencies and a further £34.5 million has been made available under the waiting list initiative for 2001.
This investment is being made in conjunction 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, the national bed capacity review and the winter initiative which I recently announced.
