asked the Minister for Health whether there are people waiting four years for orthopaedic operations in Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11; and if he has any plans to reduce the waiting time.
Written Answers. - Orthopaedic Operations.
33.
The waiting period for patients requiring orthopaedic operations at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cappagh ranges from three months to 2.5 years. The average period for the majority of patients is 12 to 18 months. The hospital authorities are at present carrying out a detailed examination of the waiting lists. When the examination is completed, my Department will examine the workload at the hospital to determine the extent of unnecessary referrals from other health boards. I would like to point out that all health board areas have their own orthopaedic units and only highly specialised work should be referred to Cappagh from outside the Eastern Health Board area. Waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery have been a feature of health services here and elsewhere for many years past.