Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:25 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, he intends taking to reduce the current waiting lists for prostate operations in the Southern Health Board area. [1663/95]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Limerick East): The provision of services in the Southern Health Board area is a matter for the health board in the first instance.
Urology procedures, which would include prostate surgery, are carried out in the Mercy Hospital and Cork University Hospital. I understand that my Department approved the replacement of a part-time consultant genito-urinary surgeon in Cork University Hospital, by a full time consultant, in late 1992 and that this post was filled in April 1993.
The admission of a patient to hospital for prostate surgery is a clinical decision for the consultant in charge of the case. Waiting times vary according to the needs of individual patients and priority is given in accordance with medical criteria.
The Deputy will be aware that urology was one of the target specialities under the 1994 waiting list initiative. As part of the initiative, the Southern Health Board received funding for the provision of an additional 960 procedures. This included an additional 260 urology procedures at Cork University Hospital. The hospital met its target for urology under the initiative and also exceeded its normal activity in this speciality in 1994.
It will be open to the board to bid for resources in respect of prostate surgery waiting lists from such funds as may be available for a 1995 waiting list initiative.