Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Written Answers. - Midland Health Board Area Orthopaedic Services.

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

155 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ratio of population to orthopaedic surgeon in the Midland Health Board area incorporating counties Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford, currently stands at 103,800:1 which is not only the highest ratio in this country, but in the developed world; the steps, if any, he proposes to take to reduce this ratio having regard to the lengthy waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The provision of orthopaedic services in the counties mentioned is the responsibility of the Midland Health Board in the first instance. At present, the average waiting time for hip replacement operations is six to seven months in the Midland Health Board area. Urgent cases are admitted much sooner — usually within one or two months. This compares reasonably well with waiting times for hip replacement operations nationally. In addition, Cappagh Hospital performed 30 hip replacement operations for patients from the Midland Health Board area in 1990.

My Department is considering a recent application from the Midland Health Board to appoint an additional orthopaedic surgeon at Tullamore General Hospital. This request will be considered as sympathetically as possible in the context of the many competing demands for resources and the board's priorities for new development.