Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (74)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting periods for various surgical or medical procedures have fluctuated over the past five years to date with particular reference to cardiovascular surgery, hip replacements and ophthalmics; if he will set out the current average waiting times for such procedures; if particular efforts continue to be made to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56974/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The management of in-patient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first).

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.