Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ulick Burke

Question:

245 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the waiting lists in each of the Western Health Board areas of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon for the years 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 under headings (details supplied); the number who have waited in excess of one year; the longest waiting period under these headings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31882/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

National waiting list information is collated by my Department from data supplied by health boards and is broken down by the total number of adults and children waiting for procedures at hospitals within their respective areas. The information provided by health boards does not identify individuals or their place of residence.

The numbers on waiting lists and the waiting times for hip replacements and ENT procedures in the Western Health Board, in the format collected by my Department, are being communicated separately to the Deputy. Cardiac surgery is not performed in the Western Health Board but is provided in three Dublin Hospitals and at Cork University Hospital. The total number waiting for cardiac surgery at 30 June 2001 was 420. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to orthodontic waiting lists is not routinely collected by my Department. Therefore, my Department has asked the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board to compile the information requested and to forward it to the Deputy directly.

The health strategy, which I launched recently, places a new focus on waiting lists and includes a plan to address the issue of waiting lists and 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 from private hospitals in Ireland or, if necessary, from abroad.

The single most important limiting factor for admission to hospital is bed availability. A comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs has been conducted which has informed the new health strategy. The overall target is that an additional 3,000 beds will be in place by 2011 of which 650 beds will be provided by the end of 2002. 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.