Hospitals Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Questions (441)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

441. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the funding for Cappagh hospital to deal with the huge waiting list for hip operations where patients are being told that it will be eight months minimum before they will be reached regardless of the severe pain they are experiencing and that they are being told by their employers that they cannot continue to employ them as they are not fit to perform the functions required to do their jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37100/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital is a tertiary referral centre and receives referrals from all counties in Ireland for complex orthopaedic care, in addition to the provision of the national surgical bone tumour service. The Hospital has advised that it has experienced an unprecedented increase in demand for in-patient treatment throughout 2014. This is consistent with trends in other jurisdictions with similar demographic profiles.

In terms of access, urgent patients continue to be prioritised and Cappagh Hospital has advised that due to strict chronological booking policies, all patients attending the hospital are being offered dates for surgery based on their waiting time to surgery, with due regard to clinical categorisation. It has also advised that day case and outpatient activity targets will be achieved this year.

I understand that the HSE is in active engagement with Cappagh Hospital to examine and agree options for optimising the available theatre resources and to ensure patients have timely access. It is expected that the Hospital will be in a position to carry out additional activity before year end.