Tony Killeen
Ceist:72 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the number of people on waiting lists for cardiac surgery; and the average delay for such treatment. [19037/95]
Written Answers. - Cardiac Surgery Waiting Lists.
, Limerick East): Admission for open heart surgery in the public hospital service is determined having regard to the medical condition of patients, is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority. In these circumstances, the average waiting time is not a critical indicator of the adequacy of the service available. The adult waiting list for open heart surgery stands at 1,597.
I am now anxious to expand the current public hospital capacity for cardiac surgery. I have asked my Department to formulate proposals for the provision of additional cardiac surgery activity in the public hospital system. I am fully committed to the provision of additional capacity, including the appointment of additional cardiac surgeons on a permanent basis within the public hospital system over the next two-three years. This examination of the long-term requirements will begin immediately. However, because of the need to ensure that future developments are well planned and to allow sufficient time to put in place the type of permanent, expensive, high cost infrastructure required for cardiac surgery it will take some time before this additional capacity comes on stream.
I have therefore also asked my Department to see whether any health care organisations can provide cardiac surgery at prices which are reasonable and affordable on a once-off basis. I am engaged in finalising negotiations on the purchase of additional once-off procedures and hope to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard very soon.
I wish to stress that the major objective is to increase the permanent capacity for cardiac surgery in the public hospital sector and in the meantime to provide additional procedures quickly to ease the problems of those waiting cardiac operations. I am hopeful that the short-term approach together with the long-term planning initiative will ensure that waiting times for cardiac surgery are reduced significantly and look forward to co-operation from everybody involved to bring this about as quickly as possible.