Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:73 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the most recent waiting lists for hospital procedures by speciality in each hospital; and the average waiting time for each specialist [14818/01]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
The numbers on waiting lists by hospital and speciality and the waiting times, in the format collected by my Department, have been communicated separately to the Deputy.
The total number on hospital waiting lists, as at 31 December 2000, the latest date for which figures are available, is 27,857. This is the lowest waiting list figure since the December 1996 quarter and represents a decrease of 8,998 or 24.5% on the figure at the end of December 1999.
Between December 1999 and December 2000 the number of adults waiting for cardiac surgery for more than 12 months decreased by 66%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than 12 months decreased by 50% and the number waiting for orthopaedic services for more than 12 months decreased by 45%. During the same period, the number of children waiting for cardiac surgery for more than six months decreased by 56%, the number waiting for general surgery for more than six months decreased by 53%, the number waiting for ophthalmology services for more than six months decreased by 37% and the number waiting for ENT services for more than six months decreased by 20%. These welcome reductions have been achieved in a period of high levels of medical admissions and is a reflection of the major priority that is being attached to addressing high waiting lists.
The overall target for waiting list initiative funding is to ensure that no adult waits longer than 12 months and that no child waits longer than six months for treatment. It is my intention to pursue continual reductions in waiting lists and waiting times for hospital treatment in 2001. 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 I am pleased to inform the Deputy that £34.5 million has been indicated to health agencies under the waiting list initiative for 2001.
As the Deputy is aware, I initiated a national review of bed capacity in both the acute and non-acute sectors, on foot of the commitment by Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The review is being conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners. The review is now at an advanced stage and the findings will be brought to Government in the near future.