Patrick J. Morley
Ceist:56 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Health the number of people in County Mayo who are on waiting lists for hip replacement operations, cardiac surgery and eye operations. [7072/97]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Limerick East): The information requested by the Deputy has been received from the Western Health Board is as follows:
|
Procedure Awaited |
Number on Waiting List |
|
Cardiac Surgery |
68 |
|
Ophthalmic Operations |
180 |
|
Hip Replacement |
65 |
It should be noted that the figure shown for cardiac surgery relates to patients awaiting admission to cardiac surgical facilities outside the board's area for open heart surgery.
Under the 1996 waiting list initiative, which was specifically designed to reduce waiting times in a number of target specialties, the Western Health Board received £531,000 which enabled it to carry out an additional 847 orthopaedic and 805 ophthalmic procedures. This brought the total of procedures carried out in these specialties last year to 1,061 and 1,403 respectively.
The Deputy will also be aware that the inclusion of an orthopaedic unit in Phase 2 of Mayo General Hospital, which will consist of extensive theatre and inpatient facilities, will enable the hospital to perform 1,000 operations and to assess 1,400 new patients annually at out-patient clinics. This will have a significant impact in further reducing the waiting times for patients.
Ned O'Keeffe
Ceist:57 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will have arrangements made for a bed to be made available at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who is very ill. [7109/97]
Limerick East): I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy was admitted to Cork University Hospital on Friday, 7 March 1997.