Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Liz McManus

Question:

15 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the hospital waiting lists published on 5 August 2003; his views on the fact that the lists show virtually no improvement over the previous lists; the estimated length of time it would take to clear hospital waiting lists at the rate of improvement shown over the past year; and the steps he intends to take to reduce numbers on waiting lists. [22510/03]

Willie Penrose

Question:

37 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in regard to the commitment given on 6 May 2001, progress has been made towards eliminating waiting hospital waiting lists within two years; his views on whether this target will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

160 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to reduce waiting lists in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22758/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 37 and 160 together.

Over the last two or three decades there have been numerous important advances in surgical technology and in anaesthesia. These advances have improved greatly the range, the safety and the effectiveness of the surgical procedures that can be offered by modern health systems. However, as a consequence, there has been dramatic increases in the demand for surgical procedures, especially elective procedures.

Due to the nature of any health care system not all treatments can be made available to patients immediately. Hospital facilities must be used to best effect and it is sometimes necessary to place patients for non-urgent treatments on a waiting list. Therefore, the significant issue from the patients perspective is the length of time spent waiting for treatment and as such my Department's objective is to reduce waiting times significantly in the short-term with particular focus on those waiting longest for treatment.

This Government has maintained a particular focus on those waiting longest for hospital treatment. Despite pressures on the acute hospital system considerable progress has been made by health agencies in reducing waiting times for public patients.

My Department publishes comprehensive information in respect of both in-patient and day case waiting lists and waiting times by hospital and speciality.

The waiting list data for the period ended 31 March 2003 showed that there were significant reductions in the number of adults and children waiting longest for in-patient treatment. The total number of adults waiting more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target specialties has fallen by approximately 35% from 7,402 to 4,782 in the period June 2002 to March 2003. The total number of children waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment in the same specialties and for the same period has decreased by approximately 56% from 1,576 to 697.

Very significant progress has been made in many health board areas to achieve the target of no adult waiting longer than 12 months and no child waiting longer than six months. This has been achieved through active management of long waiting lists at a local level and the involvement of the national treatment purchase fund. To date more than 7,200 patients have already received treatments through the NTPF predominantly in private hospitals in Ireland. The fund has the capacity and funding each month to arrange treatment for over 800 patients in hospitals throughout Ireland and in four private hospitals in England. To date, the capacity in England has not been fully utilised. The additional capacity identified by the fund covers the majority of surgical specialties. If patients feel that they qualify for treatment and they have not been referred to the NTPF by their doctor then I would urge them to contact the NTPF directly.

While the rate of progress in achieving the targets set out in the health strategy has been slower than anticipated, the targets still remain a goal to be achieved. Funding through the waiting list initiative and the national treatment purchase fund will continue to keep the focus on reducing waiting lists and waiting times.