Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:25 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the average delay in each of the health board areas, for those with medical cards who need hip replacement operations.
Written Answers. - Operation Waiting List.
The average waiting time for admission to public hospitals for routine hip replacement surgery in each health board area is as follows:
|
Health Board |
Average Waiting Time for Hip Replacement Surgery |
|
Eastern Health Board* |
6-9 months |
|
Midland Health Board |
12 months |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
2 years-2 years and 6 months |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
9-12 months |
|
North-Western Health Board |
1-3 years† |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
12-18 months |
|
Southern Health Board |
12 months-2 years |
|
Western Health Board |
Not available |
*Information not available from the Adelaide Hospital.
†Longest waiting patient.
Information on hip replacement surgery is collected on a hospital basis and a patient living in one health board area may be on a waiting list for hip replacement surgery in another.
The admission of a patient to hospital is a clinical decision for the consultant in charge of the case. Waiting lists are kept under review and priority is given to urgent cases. I would point out that it is very difficult to arrive at an average waiting time in respect of any centre as the waiting period for each patient will differ according to his or her medical requirements.