Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Jun 1990

Vol. 399 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hip Operation Delays.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

21 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the length of time it is taking for a hip operation to be carried out for a person (details supplied) in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

139 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long delays for hip operations in St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork; the action he proposes to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 139 together.

The position in relation to patients awaiting hip replacement operations at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork, is improving. Additional funds were made available last year to help reduce the waiting time involved. The Southern Health Board have indicated that the projected activity in relation to hip replacements at the hospital during 1990 will be higher than in 1989.

The admission of a patient to hospital is a clinical decision for the hospital authorities and the consultant in charge of the case. Priority is given according to medical need. I would suggest, therefore, that if the patient's condition is causing concern, she should ask her general practitioner to contact the consultant concerned in order to stress the urgency of the case and with a view to receiving surgery at an earlier date if necessary.