Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Tom Enright

Ceist:

77 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the hospitals where operations are carried out on patients who have a hole in the heart; the number of patients in Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, awaiting operations for a hole in the heart; the number of intensive beds at this hospital; the number of beds in use; the number of beds closed; the number of operating theatres at the hospital; the number closed or awaiting work to be completed; the number of nurses employed there; the numbers employed in each of the past five years with particular reference to these operations; the number of surgeons employed at the hospital; and the number employed in each of the past five years with particular reference to these operations. [7076/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The Mater Misericordia Hospital perform adult cardiac surgery procedures of the nature referred to by the Deputy and paediatric cases are treated at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

As at 7 March 2000 there were 78 public patients waiting over three months for such treatment in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children.

Our Lady's Hospital has a total of 14 intensive care beds of which 11 are in use. The remaining three beds are closed due to a shortage of appropriate nursing staff. There are five operating theatres in this hospital and all are operational. The development of the theatres at the hospital is under way. When completed the new theatre development will provide five new operating theatres complete with ancillary accommodation, a day surgery area and a central sterile supplies department. The existing theatre facilities will also be upgraded to provide a further two theatre suites. When these theatres are fully commissioned it is expected that Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children will be in a position to perform an additional 100 paediatric cardiac procedures per annum, which is an increase of 40% on its existing capacity.

There are 499.5 whole time equivalent – w.t.e – nursing positions at the hospital. As nurses may be assigned to more than one specialty-duty it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the number of nurses specifically engaged in cardiology-cardiac services.

The total number of nurses and surgeons employed in the hospital for the years 1995, 1996, 1997 , 1998 and 1999 are outlined as follows:

Number of	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Nurses (w.t.e.)	483.25	503	482.75	493.74	514.08
Surgeons	15	16	16	16	16

Our Lady's Hospital currently has a total of 16 surgeons employed in the delivery of services.

For the period 1995 to 2000 there have been two consultant cardiothoracic surgeons employed at the hospital. An additional consultant cardiothoracic surgeon has been appointed and is expected to take up duty in July 2000.