Vol. 398 No. 1
36 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health if he has received any representations in respect of the continuing difficulties for patients on waiting lists in the North Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have had representations from time to time in regard to waiting lists in the North Eastern Health Board area.
Last year I provided an additional allocation of £30,000 for ENT services which resulted in 200 patients being treated that would otherwise have been placed on waiting lists.
I also provided an additional allocation of £100,000 for orthopaedic services in the area and this resulted in 50 additional hip replacements being carried out. As a result of the special allocation I have made, 922 general medical and surgical cases in the area were treated that would otherwise have been placed on waiting lists.
