asked the Minister for Health the number of patients currently on the waiting list at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork, who are waiting for hip-replacement operations; and the number of patients who have been on the waiting list for a period in excess of one year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Hip-Replacement Operations.
12.
There are currently 224 patients on the waiting list for hip-replacement operations at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork. Of this number 36 patients have been on the waiting list for a period in excess of one year.
In view of the fact that such a large number of patients are on the waiting list for hip operations at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital and in view of the fact that patients who make appointments with consultants in that hospital, using the health board facilities in the hospital, can have their operations done within a very short period after being seen by the consultants, will the Minister now say if he proposes to bring in regulations to prevent consultants from having private practices in health board hospitals, because it is paying patients who seem to be getting the attention rather than health board patients?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that previously, as Minister, I introduced the common contract for consultants which meant that the consultants would contribute a very major part of their working week to the public health services. This is a very satisfactory arrangement and the operation of that arrangement will be kept under review.
With regard to the arrangement with the consultants, is there any change in the allocation of beds for their private patients in hospitals?
The method of remuneration was changed. There was an allowance per bed per night which has been removed in the context of the common contract. There has not been any significant change in the number of beds available as far as I know.
Would the Minister not agree that as long as consultants have reserved to them an allocation of beds in hospitals that will determine the number of health board patients who can have operations, including hip operations, and will in fact curtail them?
The statistics show that the overwhelming number of beds are public beds taking the overall situation into account. I believe there is a fairly reasonable balance generally although there may be incidents where it may go otherwise. We have a balance in that area at the moment and I am concerned that it will not drift too far from that.
Can the Minister send me the number of beds for private patients?
I will certainly send the Deputy the number for public and private patients.
I would like to have a copy of that as well.
Certainly.