Austin Deasy
Ceist:67 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in having a hip replacement operation carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who is suffering discomfort and pain. [7894/95]
Written Answers. - Hip Replacement Operation.
Limerick East): I understand that the person in question is attending both Waterford Regional Hospital and the Adelaide Hospital in Dublin. The South Eastern Health Board has informed me that this person was seen at an orthopaedic outpatient clinic in September 1993, January 1994 and February 1994. A further outpatient appointment was scheduled for 11 May 1995 but when the person failed to attend another appointment was scheduled for 18 May 1995. The person did not attend for this appointment.
I am informed by the Adelaide Hospital that the person in question attended an orthopaedic outpatient clinic in September 1994, January 1995 and after her third visit on 5 April 1995 was placed on the hip replacement waiting list for a total hip replacement.
The scheduling of patients for surgery is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned and is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. The Adelaide Hospital is not in a position to give a date for admission at this time.