Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 7

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

40 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health if he will give a breakdown, by speciality, of the number of people awaiting admission to the Regional Hospital in Limerick and of the expected reduction by speciality; and if he will give the time scale for this based on the recent allocation to reduce waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The most recent validated waiting list figures available are as follows:

E. N. T.	87
Gynaecology	267
Ophthalmology	449
Dental	33
General Surgery	364
Orthopaedics	586

As the Deputy is aware, the Government has allocated £20 million for a major action programme to reduce hospital in-patient waiting lists. The overall objective is to eliminate excessive waiting lists in excess of 12 months in these specialties and to set a maximum period of six months for children awaiting E.N.T. or eye treatment.

I will announce my decision in regard to the allocation of the £20 million in the coming weeks.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

41 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he intends to take to reduce the waiting list of 400 patients for orthopaedic appointments at a hospital (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

153 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting hip replacement surgery in South Tipperary; the number awaiting orthopaedic appointments; the average waiting time for appointments and for hip replacement surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

154 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to reduce the waiting period for hip replacement surgery in the South-Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 153 and 154 together.

There are 49 patients awaiting hip replacement operations from South Tipperary on the Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital waiting list and the average waiting time is 14 months. There are 442 patients waiting to be seen at the out-patient Orthopaedic Clinic at Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel and the average waiting time is 18 months.

As the Deputy is aware, £20 million is being provided in 1993 for a major action programme to reduce waiting times. Orthopaedic surgery, including hip replacement, will be a priority in the allocation of funds for this major action programme and I will be announcing my decisions in this matter in the coming weeks.