Vol. 440 No. 1
156 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people requiring hip replacements in the Southern Health Board area including Cork city, Cork county and County Kerry for the period ending 28 February 1994, and for the same period in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
At 28 February 1994, there were 302 patients on the waiting list for hip replacement surgery in the Southern Health Board area. Information in relation to waiting lists is generally collected on a quarterly basis by my Department. The number of people on the waiting list for hip replacement operations in the Southern Health Board area at the end of December in each of the years 1991 and 1992 was 292 and 339 respectively.
With regard to orthopaedic facilities generally in Cork, the Deputy will be aware that work is at present in progress on the provision of new clean air theatre facilities at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher. I have previously sanctioned the filling of a fifth orthopaedic surgeon post in Cork on a permanent basis.
I am confident that the fifth consultant post and new clean air theatre facilities will significantly enhance the service for orthopaedic patients in Cork.
