It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most routine scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and urgent time-critical work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
The NTPF have advised my Department that there are 643 patients on the IPDC orthopaedics waiting list with an area of residence in County Mayo. The average wait time for an orthopaedic procedure for those is 316 days. Further information as requested by the Deputy concerning orthopaedic treatment in Co. Mayo is outlined in the attached document.
Total IPDC Waiters for an Orthopaedic Procedure with an Area of Resisdence in Co.Mayo by Specialty by Procedure as at 29/10/2020
Orthopaedics
|
613
|
Administration of agent into joint or other synovial cavity, not elsewhere classified
|
238
|
Administration of agent into zygo-apophyseal (facet) joint
|
6
|
Administration of anaesthetic agent around paravertebral sacral nerve
|
6
|
Arthrodesis of ankle
|
6
|
Arthroscopy of knee
|
9
|
Arthroscopy of shoulder
|
6
|
Aspiration of joint or other synovial cavity, not elsewhere classified
|
5
|
Decompression of subacromial space
|
6
|
Discectomy for recurrent disc lesion, 1 level
|
7
|
Epidural injection of other or combined therapeutic substance(s)
|
61
|
Noninvasive diagnostic tests, measures or investigations, not elsewhere classified
|
9
|
Open reduction of fracture of ankle with internal fixation of diastasis, fibula or malleolus
|
6
|
Osteotomy of metatarsal bone
|
11
|
Osteotomy, not elsewhere classified
|
9
|
Other repair of shoulder
|
7
|
Palmar fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture
|
5
|
Reconstruction of knee
|
8
|
Release of carpal tunnel
|
7
|
Removal of pin, screw or wire, not elsewhere classified
|
7
|
Removal of plate, rod or nail, not elsewhere classified
|
14
|
Revision of total arthroplasty of hip
|
11
|
Small Volume Procedures
|
52
|
Total arthroplasty of hip, unilateral
|
70
|
Total arthroplasty of knee, unilateral
|
47
|
Paed Orthopaedic
|
30
|
Osteotomy, not elsewhere classified
|
5
|
Small Volume Procedures
|
25
|
Grand Total
|
643
|
Average Wait Time for an Orthopaedic Procedure for those with an Area of Residence in Co.Mayo
Date
|
Area of Residence
|
Specialty
|
Average Wait Time (Days)
|
29/10/2020
|
Mayo
|
Orthopaedics
|
316
|