Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 1

Written Answers. - Temple Street (Dublin) Hospital.

Jim Mitchell

Ceist:

188 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays for operations in the plastic surgery department of Temple Street Hospital, Dublin 1, in particular in ENT and Ophthalmology; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that much of this delay is caused by the shortage of beds and that often, because of that fact, both surgeons and highly trained theatre staff can only work half days even though they are paid for full days; his views on whether the closing down of a number of beds in this hospital makes financial sense; if he will approve the opening of extra beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The Children's Hospital, Temple Street, has a complement of 136 beds. Bed closures are confined to periods when there is least demand for beds and when staff are on holidays, such as during the summer months.

The hospital's casualty department is one of the busiest in the country, treating some 58,000 patients annually. At times, pressure of admissions through the casualty department can lead to some elective admissions being cancelled.

As the Deputy will be aware, £20 million will be provided in 1993 for a major action programme to reduce hospital inpatient waiting lists in a number of specialties, including ophthalmology, ENT surgery and plastic surgery. I will be announcing my decision in this matter in a number of weeks. The objective will be to eliminate waiting lists in excess of 12 months in these specialties and to set a maximum period of six months for children awaiting ENT or eye treatment.