asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of the latest date for which figures are available the number of children on the waiting list for ear, nose and throat beds in each of the following hospitals: (a) Our Lady's Hospital. Crumlin, (b) Harcourt Street Hospital and (c) the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
9.
The number of children on the waiting list for ear, nose and throat treatment in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, Dublin, was 180 on the 30th June, 1971, and in the case of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, was 87 on the 23rd July, 1971. There is no waiting list at present for these cases in the Children's Hospital, Harcourt Street, Dublin.
The figure for Crumlin Hospital represents an improvement of 25 per cent on the position a year ago and further improvement is expected. The position at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital is regarded as satisfactory. Patients requiring immediate attention are given priority.
Does the Minister not feel, in view of the fact that more than 530 children are awaiting admission to the Temple Street Hospital, which is the only children's hospital on the north side of the city, that he should give consideration to immediate expansion of the ear, nose and throat department in Temple Street to cater for this long waiting list, seeing that the south side is adequately catered for?
I answered a question by the Deputy on that recently.
Can the Minister tell us what steps he has taken to improve the position on the north side?
We do what we can reasonably to improve the position but I do not regard it as a matter of priority. All the urgent cases are taken immediately, and there is not a country in Europe that I know of where there is not a delay in ear, nose and throat treatment of this kind.
There will be no north or south in Dublin.
10.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of the latest date for which figures are available the number of people on the waiting list for the neurosurgical department of the Richmond Hospital, Dublin.
The information I have indicates that the number on the waiting list for this department is 11. However, due to the absence of a consultant on leave, I am not sure if this is the total figure. If it transpires that the figure should be added to, I will inform the Deputy.
Is the waiting list greater or less than last year?
I could not say.