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Hospital Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004

Thursday, 28 October 2004

Questions (165)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

163 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which she expects the hospital services to be able to meet demands in respect of heart operations and hip replacements in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26608/04]

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Written answers

There has been a significant increase in the consultant manpower needed to deliver cardiac surgery and orthopaedic services in the last ten years. Based on figures provided by Comhairle na nOspideal the number of cardiothoracic surgeons has increased from six to 11 between 1993 and 2003 and the number of orthopaedic surgeons has increased from 52 to 76 in the same period.

Plans and developments are in place which will increase the capacity for cardiac surgery. For example, the theatre and critical care complex, completed as part of the Phase 2 development at University College Hospital Galway, includes provision for cardiac surgery facilities. Approval has also been given to the Southern Health Board to proceed with the planning and construction of a new €82 million cardiac and renal dialysis building at Cork University Hospital.

In relation to orthopaedic services the North Eastern Health Board has re-organised its orthopaedic services in moving trauma services to Drogheda and creating additional capacity for elective services in Navan. A new orthopaedic service was opened at Mayo General Hospital in September 2004. This new service serves the people of the western region and increases orthopaedic capacity for the region.

The single most limiting factor for admission to hospital is bed availability therefore increasing the bed capacity of the acute hospital system is of particular priority for my Department. As a result of the bed capacity initiative and the commissioning of new units, which was announced in September, funding is now in place for an additional 900 beds in the acute hospital system.

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