asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of people in the State suffering from diseases of the joints which would benefit from inter-articular surgery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers - Inter-Articular Surgery.
7.
Reliable information on the incidence of these diseases is not available at present.
Is it not true to say that an accurate figure would be in the region of 30,000?
We are seeing whether we can procure this information. There has not been any special need for it up to now. This kind of surgery is provided in the country and we are seeing whether it would be advisable to get some more information about it. The medical officer of my Department has been examining this for some time.
Would the Minister not think it desirable to have a register of those suffering from this condition?
It might be.
8.
asked the Minister for Health whether his Department have received an application from Cappagh Hospital, Dublin, or any person on the staff of that hospital requesting aid for a sterile air-conditioned operating theatre for the purposes of specialised inter-articular surgery; and, if so, the date the application was received and the date his Department replied to it.
An application from the hospital for assistance towards the cost of this project was received in my Department on 12th March, 1971. The application was acknowledged on the same day but it has not been possible, owing to the fact that the Hospitals Trust Fund is on the basis of current estimates fully committed, to take a decision as to allocation of a grant.
I understand that this operating theatre has been provided and the question of assistance towards its cost will be considered by me later on this year when I shall be reviewing the position of the Hospitals Trust Fund in regard to this and a number of other proposals.
Does the Minister appreciate it is now 15 months since that request was made and his Department have taken no action whatsoever? Does the Minister not think that this is a gross insult to the hospital authorities?
I do not regard it as a gross insult to the hospital authorities. If the Deputy looks at the amount of equipment being provided he will see that the total is nearly £500,000. Purchases must be spaced according to the available finance but I shall be considering these applications.
Could the Minister not at least have communicated with the hospital authorities apart from just sending an official acknowledgment of a letter received?
We have heard from the hospital authorities.