Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 3

Written Answers. - Heart By-Pass Operations.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for heart by-pass operations in each health board area; if his attention has been drawn to the many fund raising events being organised throughout the country such as one (details supplied) to pay surgeons to carry out the operations on a private basis even though the patients concerned have full eligibility for such health services free of charge; if he will outline the action he proposes to take to make available the resources necessary to eliminate waiting lists for such life saving operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

Heart surgery for public patients is performed in three locations, Cork Regional Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin and the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin. The Mater Hospital is the largest centre in the State for open heart surgery. I have previously informed the House of the circumstances which led to the reduction in the level of procedures for by-pass surgery and the consequent increase in the number on the waiting list.

In order to restore activity to the previously agreed annual target figure of 750, I have provided special funds for the provision of ten additional cardiac beds which, I have been informed by the hospital, are now coming into operation on 2 April 1991. The total costs involved in that project are very considerable — £235,000 for renovation and upgrading, £186,000 for equipment and £400,000 annual staffing costs.

There are 929 adult and 78 paediatric cases on the waiting list for coronary by-pass grafts at present. This list includes patients from all health board areas.

With regard to the longer term my Department are in consultation with the cardiac surgeons and cardiologists so that an overall strategy can be developed to meet the future demands for cardiac surgery.

I am aware that in certain cases there have been fund-raising efforts for patients to undergo by-pass operations on a private basis. If a patient opts for private treatment, it is a matter between the patient and the consultant concerned.

The admission of a patient to hospital for cardiac surgery is, of course, a clinical decision taken by the consultant concerned and is based on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list.