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Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2018

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

Questions (402)

Noel Rock

Question:

402. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address long waiting lists for knee and hip replacement surgeries; when he expects waiting times to be cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8656/18]

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Written answers

Reducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities.

Throughout 2017, the HSE and NTPF worked together to drive down long wait times for Inpatient and Daycase procedures. Over 29,000 patients came off the Inpatient/Daycase waiting list by the end of October .

At present 56% of patients on the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List wait less than 6 months, and 83% wait less than 12 months for their procedure. This is despite the additional demands on our Acute Hospitals, which, since 2000 are carrying out four times more procedures for patients ages 65 and over and twice as many in the under 65 age group.

October's Budget announced a total 2018 allocation of €55m for the NTPF for 2018. This significant increase in funding more than doubles the 2017 total allocation of €20m. The NTPF and HSE are in the process of finalising Waiting List Action Plans and Initiatives for 2018. This will include ambitious targets for both the HSE and NTPF to reduce the overall number of patients waiting for treatment including those patients awaiting Orthopaedic procedures.

I hope to publish the 2018 Inpatient Day Case Waiting List Action Plan at the end of February.

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