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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Dick Spring

Question:

39 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children the most recent waiting lists for hospital procedures by speciality in each hospital; the average waiting time for each specialist; the steps being taken to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30912/01]

The hospital in-patient waiting times and the numbers on waiting lists as at the 30 June 2001, in the format collected by my Department, are being communicated separately to the Deputy.

The number of people on public hospital waiting lists in June 2001, the latest date for which figures are available, was 26,659. This figure represents a decrease of 5,192 or 16% on the comparable figure for June 2000. During this period there have been significant reductions in the waiting lists for target specialties with the number waiting for cardiac surgery down by 52%, the number waiting for gynaecology procedures down by 35% and the number waiting for ENT procedures down by 30%.
Considerable progress has also been made in reducing waiting times. During the period June 2000 to June 2001 the number of adults waiting for cardiac surgery for more than 12 months decreased by 68%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than 12 months decreased by 38% and the number waiting for orthopaedic services for more than 12 months decreased by 16%. During the same period the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery for more than six months deceased by 85%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than six months decreased by 31% and the number waiting for ENT services for more than six months decreased by 25%.
The new health strategy, which I launched recently, will provide a framework for the reform of the acute hospital system and improved access for public patients. It includes a plan covering the actions required to address the issue of waiting lists and particularly waiting times.
The targets set out in the strategy are that by the end of 2002 no adult will wait longer than 12 months and no child will wait longer than six months for treatment, by the end of 2003 no adult will wait longer than six months and no child will wait longer than three months for treatment and by the end of 2004 no public patients will wait longer than three months for treatment. A new dedicated treatment purchase fund will be used for the purpose of purchasing treatments for public patients either in the private sector or, if necessary, abroad.
The single most important limiting factor for admission to hospital is bed availability. In this context a comprehensive review of bed capacity needs has been conducted in both the acute and non-acute sectors. The review, which has informed the new health strategy, has focused primarily on the emerging need to increase bed capacity and to have a strategic framework in place in terms of the number of additional beds required in the short, medium and long-terms. The overall target of the new strategy is that an additional 650 beds will be in place by the end of 2002 with an extra 3,000 beds provided over the period to 2011.
The strategy outlines further measures which are designed to address the issues of capacity and efficiency in the delivery of services. A strategic partnership will be developed with the private sector in providing services for public patients and a national hospital agency will be set up to plan the configuration of hospital services. I am confident that these measures will result in a more accessible and equitable acute hospital system for public patients.
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