Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
22 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that the neurosurgery unit at Cork University Hospital does not have the required number of consultants for training recognition and may be forced to reduce services or go off call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26189/04]
View answer47 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to reduce the waiting list for neurosurgery; the number waiting on this list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26204/04]
View answer74 Mr. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on recent comments that neurosurgery services in Dublin have not seen an increase in staffing of consultants in a quarter of a century; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26188/04]
View answer81 Mr. Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of neurosurgical operations carried out under the national treatment purchase fund; the locations at which these operations were carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26190/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 47, 74 and 81 together.
In February 2002, Comhairle na nOspidéal was asked to carry out a review of neurosurgical services, focusing in particular on the provision of adequate capacity and equity of access to neurosurgical services, having regard to best practice in the provision of quality health care. Comhairle established a committee to review neurosurgical services, and I understand the committee's work is at an advanced stage.
The development of neurosurgical services, including the appointment of additional consultants, will be progressed having regard to the recommendations contained in the Comhairle report when it has been completed, and in the event of additional development funding becoming available.
To date, the number of neurosurgical operations carried out under the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is 258, and a further 25 operations are in the process of being arranged.
The locations where these operations were carried out are the Blackrock Clinic, the Hampshire Clinic London, BUPA Hospital, Manchester and North West Independent Hospital, Derry. Cork University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital have undertaken a small number of operations which were not suitable for referral to the private sector.
The NTPF has reported that there are no patients waiting more than three months at Cork University Hospital, and there are 257 patients waiting longer than three months at Beaumont Hospital for neurosurgical operations.
