Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 6

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

112 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the number of hip replacement operations which will be carried out on public patients at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital and Cork University Hospital from 1 October 1996 to 31 December 1996; the number of public patients awaiting hip replacement operations in these hospitals; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that public patients who were told they would be admitted for surgery in 1996 have been informed that no further operations for public patients are to take place from October 1996. [18042/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Health agencies are funded to achieve an agreed level of activity which must, at a very minimum be in line with the level approved for the previous year. It is a matter for the agencies concerned to determine how best to manage such activity levels within agreed budgets.

In the case of hip replacement procedures in Cork, I would like to reiterate that the agreed 1996 baseline at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital was 299 procedures. The Deputy will wish to know that Cork University Hospital deals with trauma cases rather than elective hip procedures. This level of activity reflects my Department's substantial investment in orthopaedic services in Cork in recent years. I would also like to point out that, in addition to its baseline activity, the board has contracted to carry out a further 45 hip procedures under the 1996 waiting list initiative.

The board has advised that it is confident that the 1996 baseline and waiting list initiative targets will be achieved. Furthermore, I am assured by the board that there has been no cessation of hip procedures for public patients at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranebraher, Cork. I understand that a total of 65 hip procedures will be carried out before 31 December 1996.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

113 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in having a person (details supplied) in County Cork admitted to a hospital for surgery; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person is practically paralysed due to spinal problems and severe pain and that she was discharged from the hospital last weekend with a view to having her readmitted two days later for surgery. [18043/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): This is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance and it is open to the Deputy to pursue the matter directly with the health board.

However, I have made inquiries and have been advised that this patient was awaiting an out-patient appointment. She was seen by the hospital registrar in the accident and emergency department on 28 September 1996. The registrar set up an early out-patient appointment with the consultant neurosurgeon. I understand that the patient was assessed by the consultant on Tuesday, 8 October and she has now been placed on the in-patient waiting list for surgery.