asked the Minister for Health the average delay for people awaiting admission to hospital for hip operations in each health board area and the steps he intends taking to remedy this situation.
Written Answers. - Hip Operations.
324.
Following is the information requested:
|
Health Board |
Average waiting period for hip replacement operations (expressed in months) |
|
Eastern |
18 |
|
Midland |
12 |
|
Mid-Western |
9 |
|
North-Eastern |
9 to 12 |
|
North-Western |
42 |
|
South-Eastern |
6 |
|
Southern |
12 to 14 |
|
Western |
24 |
The following steps have been taken to improve the orthopaedic services. 11 additional posts as orthopaedic surgeon have been approved since the beginning of 1977.
My Department are at pesent carrying out a survey of orthopaedic services for the purposes of assessing future requirements.
The following are projects recently completed, in progress and being planned which will improve the orthopaedic services in the various health board areas:
Eastern Health Board—A second operating theatre was completed in St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh, in 1979. A third operating theatre, in isolation unit and additional adult beds for the hospital are being planned.
Mid-Western Health Board—Planning is in progress for a second operating theatre for the Orthopaedic Hospital, Croom, County Limerick.
North-Eastern Health Board—A second operating theatre has been provided at the Orthopaedic Unit, Navan.
North-Western Health Board—A new 60-bed orthopaedic unit is nearing completion at Sligo General Hospital. Pending the opening of this new unit a temporary orthopaedic unit of 28 beds has been provided at the County Hospital, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim.
Southern Health Board—A new 40-bed orthopaedic unit is under construction as part of the new General Hospital, Tralee.
Planning is in progress for two additional theatres at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher, Cork.
Western Health Board—Planning is in progress for a new orthopaedic theatre suite at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway.