I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 44 together.
The latest information available to my Department on the number of persons awaiting admission as in-patients is as follows: (a) cataracts 3,374; (b) hip replacements 1,993; (c) heart surgery 675 and (d) child deafness 1,810. The total number of patients awaiting all types of orthopaedic operations is around 7,300. Information on the average waiting period is not collected since the length of time any individual patient waits for treatment differs according to medical priority.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government have, in response to demands to reduce unacceptably long waiting times, provided an additional £15 million earlier this year. A substantial amount of this was directed specifically to help reduce waiting lists with priority given to ear, nose and throat, cataracts and hip replacement operations. Substantial funds were also allocated to provide for restoration of beds closed, to open additional beds and to avoid planned bed closures.
I am satisfied that this injection of funds has been effective in helping to reduce waiting lists in the areas targeted and in protecting services in general.