Vol. 398 No. 1
80 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Health if he has received any representations in respect of the continuing difficulties for patients on waiting lists in the South-Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have a small number of representations on hand concerning orthopaedic and ENT waiting lists in the South-Eastern Health Board area.
Last year I provided an additional allocation of £85,000 for orthopaedic services in the South Eastern Health Board. This funding has been used to open a second theatre and to recruit additional staff at Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilkenny. The output of elective orthopaedic work has risen and the number of hip replacement operations increased by 60 per cent in the first quarter of 1990 compared with the same period in 1989.
I also provided an additional allocation of £30,000 for ENT and ophthalmic services. I am pleased to state that over the past 12 months there has been a significant improvement in the in-patient waiting list for ENT treatment at Waterford Regional Hospital.
