Vol. 530 No. 6
280 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he took in agreeing the 2001 service plan with the Eastern Regional Health Authority in respect of improving the inefficiencies in hip replacements; if he will make inquiries as to the reason so few patients have moved off this particular list in recent months, such as the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will take this matter up with the health board as a matter of urgency. [4939/01]
It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment in 2001 following the significant success experienced in this area last year. Dedicated funding for waiting list procedures of £34 million was allocated in 2000 to health agencies to enable hospitals to carry out waiting list procedures and £34.5 million has been indicated to health agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2001.
The management of waiting lists and waiting times for elective surgery have been identified as priorities for the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the authority's service plan for 2001. The authority has been given an initial allocation of £13 million in 2001 to deal with waiting list target specialties, including hip replacements. Waiting list figures for St. Mary's Hospital, Cappagh, at 30 September 2000 show a decrease of more than 50% since 31 December 1999. This reduction is substantial and while validation must be taken into consideration, the reduction reflects the significant investment and continuing efforts in the management of waiting lists.
