Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hip Replacement Operation Statistics.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

137 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the number of hip replacement operations that have been performed at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, on patients from County Mayo for the 12 months prior to the end of May 1994; the way in which this compares with the number performed up to the end of May 1992 and 1993, and the number on the waiting list from County Mayo at June 1994, compared with the figure for June 1993.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

138 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres used for hip replacement operations at Merlin Park Hospital, Galway; and whether there are unused operating facilities in that hospital due to the fact that certain hospital specialists have not been appointed to date.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.

The number of hip replacement operations carried out in the Western Health Board in 1992 was 133, and in 1993 228 which included 85 extra operations under the waiting list initiative 1993.

In relation to patients from Mayo, there were 39 hip replacement operations carried out in the 12 month period prior to the end of May 1994. This compares with a figure of 72 for the year ended May 1992 and with a figure of 45 for the year ended May 1993. There are currently 49 patients on the hip replacement waiting list from County Mayo, which compares with a figure of 14 for the year ended June 1993.

The numbers treated in any period will of necessity be related to the numbers referred for treatment from the Mayo area. As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions on such operations are based on clinical judgment in relation to the patient's condition rather than their geographic address.

There are two theatres used for hip replacement operations at Merlin Park Regional Hospital. While there are no unused theatre facilities at the Hospital, there is capacity to increase the throughput of patients. The Deputy will be aware that I allocated an additional £400,000 in 1994 for the development of orthopaedic services at Merlin Park and my Department is in discussion with the Western Health Board, at present, in relation to the appointment of additional consultant and support staff. These discussions will be concluded in the near future.

The Deputy will also be aware that I announced yesterday an allocation of £850,000 for the Western Health Board as part of the 1994 waiting list initiative. The board will carry out 109 additional orthodontic procedures in 1994 of which 44 will be hip and knee replacements.