Question:
94 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which are being taken to deal with the long periods being spent on hospital waiting lists by children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10003/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Charles Flanagan
Question:109 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the length of hospital waiting times for public patients. [9910/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 109 together.
The figures for the December 2000 quarter published recently show that the number of people on hospital waiting lists fell by almost 25%. This downward trend in numbers is reflected in annual reductions in the waiting list for target specialities.
Between December 1999 and December 2000 the number of adults waiting for cardiac surgery for more than 12 months decreased by 66%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than 12 months decreased by 50% and the number waiting for orthopaedic services for more than 12 months decreased by 45%.
During the same period, the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery for more than six months decreased by 56%, the number waiting for general surgery for more than six months decreased by 53%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than six months decreased by 37% and the number waiting for ENT services for more than six months decreased by 20%.
The overall target for waiting list initiative funding is to ensure that no adult waits longer than 12 months and that no child waits longer than six months for treatment. It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment in 2001. Dedicated funding for waiting list procedures of £34 million was allocated in 2000 to health agencies to enable hospitals to carry out waiting list procedures and I am pleased to inform the Deputies that £34.5 million has been indicated to health agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2001.
A national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute settings is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. I presented the interim findings of the review to Government last year and identified a range of immediate investment proposals aimed at addressing identified service difficulties.
The second phase of the national bed review is now under way and involves the development of a longer term investment strategy for the acute and non-acute sectors. The review will also involve a detailed assessment of need, including an analysis of future bed requirements by medical and surgical speciality. This phase of the review is due to be completed in April 2001.