Vol. 484 No. 3
234 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children from County Kerry on waiting lists for ear nose and throat treatment in the Southern Health Board area; and the proposals, if any, he has to eliminate these waiting lists. [22203/97]
236 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people from County Kerry on the waiting list for cardiac surgery in the Southern Health Board area; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22205/97]
237 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on the waiting list for hip operations in the Southern Health Board area; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 236 and 237 together.
Figures collected by my Department relate to the numbers of people on the in-patient waiting lists of a particular hospital rather than to a patient's place of residence. It would not therefore be possible to give the Deputy details of the number of people from County Kerry currently on waiting lists.
The numbers of children on the waiting list in hospitals in the Southern Health Board area for ENT and adults awaiting hip replacements and cardiac surgery at the end of September are as follows: ear, nose and throat procedures 176; hip replacements 178; and cardiac surgery 64.
I have reviewed the funding arrangements designed to reduce waiting times in the light of the result of the waiting list initiative to date. Arising out of this review the following revised arrangements the operation of the waiting list in 1998 and subsequent years are being introduced: agencies will receive early notice of the level of funding being made available to them which will enable them to plan their activity accordingly. Agencies were informed of their waiting list funding for 1998 in the last few days; my Department will be asking each agency to specify targets for waiting list activity during the year, it will be the responsibility of the chief executive officer-hospital manager to ensure that these targets are achieved and to take corrective action as necessary; there will be an increased focus on waiting times as well as on waiting lists, with the objective ensuring that children do not have to wait longer than six months and adults no longer than 12 months in the specialties targeted for attention; and where agencies have not already done so, my Department has requested them to designate an individual to act as a co-ordinator of waiting list work.
I assure the Deputy of my continuing commitment to taking all possible steps to reduce waiting lists and waiting times for patients. Towards this end I am allocating a total of £12 million in 1998 towards the cost of waiting list activity. I am confident that this money will have a positive impact on waiting lists and waiting times.
235 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on waiting lists for dental care in County Kerry; the number awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kerry; the waiting time for this treatment; and the initiatives, if any, he has to eliminate these long waiting lists. [22204/97]
The provision of dental and orthodontic services to eligible children in Country Kerry and the maintenance of waiting lists is the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board. I have been advised by the Southern Health Board that there is no waiting list maintained for children awaiting routine dental treatment in Kerry. Treatment required following the school screening programmes is provided without delay.
The number of children awaiting orthodontic treatment following assessment is 630. Children in Category A, the cases of greatest severity, receive immediate treatment. The waiting period for children in Catgory B is approximately two years. The board proposes to appoint a registrar on a temporary basis in January 1998 to further assist with the waiting list. My Department has provided funding to the board for the development of its orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan.
238 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children from County Kerry on the waiting list for speech therapy; and the precise time they will be waiting to be assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/97]
There are currently 132 children from County Kerry awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy, with a waiting time of three months. The number diagnosed and awaiting therapy is 410, with a waiting time of 18 months.
