Vol. 542 No. 2
302 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children the numbers on waiting lists in the Mid-Western Health Board area for the various elective surgical procedures; the number of those who are waiting for coronary bypass operations; and the number in each category who are waiting for three months, six months, 12 months and over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23963/01]
The hospital in-patient waiting times and the numbers on waiting lists in the Mid-Western Health Board as at 30 June 2001, in the format collected by my Department, are being communicated separately to the Deputy.
National waiting list information is collated by my Department from data supplied by health agencies and is broken down by the total number of adults and children waiting for procedures at the hospitals within their respective areas. Cardiac surgery is performed in three Dublin hospitals and at Cork University Hospital. The total number waiting for cardiac surgery at 30 June 2001 was 420.
Hospital waiting lists must be viewed against the background of a hospital system which discharged some 870,000 in-patients in 2000. The number of people currently on hospital in-patient waiting lists represents just 3% of all in-patient discharges in 2000. I will continue to focus on waiting lists and waiting times in order to ensure that services are available and accessible to those who most need them.
303.Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in the Mid-Western Health Board area who are awaiting an appointment to see a consultant surgeon; the length of time these persons have been waiting for appointments for a first consultation with the specific specialist in each of the areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23964/01]
The provision of hospital services in this instance is the responsibility of the Mid-Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and reply to the Deputy directly.
