Vol. 483 No. 2
134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the current number of patients on waiting lists seeking heart surgery; the average length of time they are on these lists; the plans, if any, he has to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/97]
Public waiting list statistics are collected by hospitals and furnished to my Department on a quarterly basis. The figures for adults are recorded in two categories, those waiting between three and 12 months and those waiting over 12 months. In respect of children, the figures are recorded in two categories, those waiting between three and six months and those waiting over six months. At the end of September 1997 there were 1,586 patients, adults and children, on the cardiac surgery waiting list; 77 per cent of adult patients have been waiting over one year and 68 per cent of children have been waiting over six months.
The Deputy will wish to know that I have recently approved a sum of £1.7 million under the 1997 waiting list initiative, specifically for cardiac surgery patients. I am confident that this will impact positively on the cardiac surgery waiting list.
The provision of additional cardiac surgery facilitates is a matter of national importance and one which will require significant capital and revenue investment over the next few years. The question of the provision of cardiac care services overall is under review at the moment. However, I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government in this regard in the very near future. An announcement will then be made on the location of additional cardiac care services.
