Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 6

Written Answers. - Orthopaedic Operations.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

88 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number awaiting hip replacement operations in County Westmeath at 1 September for each of the years 1990 to 1992; and the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the waiting time for this surgery.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

The information, in the format requested by the Deputy, is not available. I am advised by the Midland Health Board that, on 27 October 1992, there were 87 patients on the waiting list for hip replacement operations in the Midland Health Board area. Thirty of these patients reside in County Westmeath.

I am happy to inform the Deputy that my Department have recently approved the appointment of a third Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Midland Health Board area. This appointment will further improve the orthopaedic service in the region and will result in shorter waiting times for orthopaedic treatment. Approval has also been granted for the construction of an additional theatre suite at Tullamore General Hospital to accommodate the workload of the third Orthopaedic Surgeon.