Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
365. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery in Cork University Hospital and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29194/18]
View answerImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients.
The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment that the NTPF will provide 5,000 cataract procedures to patients. In addition, the NTPF commits to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 9 months for a cataract procedure.
Cork University Hospital (CUH) advise that patients requiring Inpatient/Daycase ophthalmology treatment are referred to South Infirmary Hospital Cork and held on their waiting list.
The NTPF advise that the active Inpatient/Daycase waiting list for South Infirmary Hospital Cork shows that there are 539 patients on the waiting list for cataract surgery and of these, 79% of patients are waiting 6 months or less.
