Paul Kehoe
Question:194 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients on waiting lists in County Wexford for operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/03]
Written Answers - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Waiting list information collected by my Department is provided by hospital rather than by area of residence.
The total number of people on the in-patient waiting list at Wexford General Hospital at 30 September 2002, the latest date for which figures have been published, was 23. There were also seven patients on the day case waiting list at Wexford General Hospital at this time.
Considerable progress has been made in reducing waiting times for public patients in 2002. The total number of children waiting for more than six months for in-patient treatment fell by 24% between June and September 2002. The total number of adults waiting for more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialties covered by the waiting list initiative fell by 15% between June and September 2002.
While the waiting list initiative will continue to fund additional elective activity, the national treatment purchase fund is being used to target those waiting longest for treatment. Funding of €43.8 million has been provided in 2003 for the waiting list initiative and some €31 million has been provided for the national treatment purchase fund.