Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017
113. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the inadequate resourcing of adult degenerative spine services at Tallaght and Naas hospitals; the further action being taken to address the long delays for persons awaiting spinal surgery; the action being taken to address the growing numbers on the outpatient list awaiting assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/17]
View answerReducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
I wish to assure the Deputy that action is being taken to address the number of persons awaiting spinal surgery throughout the country. The €40 million Winter Initiative 2016/2017 includes a €7m fund for a targeted waiting list programme for orthopaedics, spinal and scoliosis procedures. Specific actions included provision of €3m for additional orthopaedic procedures at the National Tertiary Referral Centre at Cappagh for patients referred from Tallaght, Tullamore, Beaumont and St. James Hospitals and it is of note that 521 additional orthopaedic patients received treatment in Cappagh by year end 2016 as a result of this funding.
In addition, in November, the HSE launched the Strategy for the Design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020. This strategy seeks to improve waiting times for outpatient services in the long term by restructuring referral pathways and utilising technology to improve service delivery. The HSE has also significantly progressed the development of a draft Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan. In this Plan, the HSE will identify proposals to reduce the number of patients waiting long periods of time for outpatient appointments across all hospitals including Tallaght and Naas Hospitals. I expect to make known the details of the HSE's Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan in the coming weeks.
