Seán Haughey
Question:369 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures he is taking to tackle hospital waiting lists; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5705/04]
View answerTuesday, 24 February 2004
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Written answers
The waiting list data for the period ended 30 September 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 surgical specialties has fallen by approximately 42% in the period September 2002 to September 2003. The total number of children waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment in the target specialties has decreased by approximately 39% in the same period.
Significant progress has been made in many health board areas to achieve reductions in waiting times. This has been achieved through active management of long waiting lists at a local level and the involvement of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. Up to the end of January 2004, close to 10,500 patients had already received treatment through the NTPF. All health boards outside of the eastern region are reporting that, in general, those adults currently reported to be waiting more than 12 months and those children reported to be waiting more than six months have either been offered treatment under the NTPF or have conditions that are complicated and need to be treated locally. It is now the case that, in most instances, adults waiting more than six months for an operation and children waiting more than three months will now be facilitated by the NTPF.