Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

217 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on waiting lists at present in Tralee General Hospital for ear nose and throat, gynaecological, orthopaedic, surgical and paediatric procedures; the numbers in each of these categories who are waiting less than six months, between six and 12 months and more than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18568/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The hospital in-patient waiting times and the numbers on the waiting list as at 31 March 2002 at Tralee General Hospital, in the format collected by my Department, are being communicated separately to the Deputy.

Considerable progress has been made nationally in reducing waiting times for public patients. The total number of adults waiting for more than 12 months for treatment in the target specialities has decreased by 20% between December 2000 and March 2002.

In the period March 2001 to March 2002 there has been a reduction nationally of 62% in the number of adults waiting more than 12 months for cardiac surgery and a reduction of 67% in the number of children waiting more than 6 months for cardiac surgery. There has been a reduction of 34% in the number of adults waiting for more than 12 months for ENT procedures and a fall of 33% in the number of adults waiting more than 12 months for ophthalmology procedures in the period March 2001 to March 2002.

While the waiting list initiative will continue to fund additional elective activity, a new dedicated national treatment purchase fund is being used to target those waiting longest for treatment by purchasing treatments for public patients in private hospitals. The national treatment purchase fund expects to treat up to 1,900 patients this year.

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 health strategy, has focused primarily on the 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 term. This year I have made provision for the commissioning of an additional 709 acute beds in public hospitals at a cost of €65 million. Included in the additional 709 beds is an additional 16 beds at Tralee General Hospital representing an additional investment for the hospital of €1.7 million in both capital and revenue costs.

Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 214.