Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

58 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he has received any representations in respect of the continuing difficulties for patients on waiting lists in the Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I have had representations from time to time in regard to waiting lists in the Western Health Board area. These have been almost exclusively from the area of ENT, ophthalmology and orthopaedics.

Last year I provided an additional allocation of £100,000 for ENT services which resulted in 500 patients being treated who would otherwise have been placed on waiting lists.

As regards ophthalmology, I have recently approved the equipping of a new day surgery unit at University College Hospital, Galway, which will make a major contribution to the reduction of waiting lists in this specialty by increasing throughput.

As regards orthopaedics, money has been allocated for the provision of clean air facilities at Merlin Park Hospital in Galway and the board have informed me that this equipment will be operational in about two months time. This will allow for much greater throughput in particular for hip replacement and the impact of this investment should be apparent by the end of the year.