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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

33 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children further to his statement that over ?3 million has recently been allocated to the Eastern Regional Health Authority to reduce bed-blocking, the areas in which this money has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22548/03]

Additional funding of €3.5 million was allocated to the Eastern Regional Health Authority to facilitate the discharge of patients from the acute system to a more appropriate setting thereby freeing up acute beds. It allows for funding through the subvention system of additional beds in the private nursing home sector and ongoing support in the community. I have been informed by the ERHA that this funding will allow for the discharge of up to 200 patients in the eastern region.

The specific allocation of this funding to the various agencies in the eastern region is a matter for the ERHA. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to reply to the Deputy directly on this matter.

John Perry

Ceist:

34 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he has taken to improve the situation in Beaumont Hospital whereby there is a 14-month waiting list for an appointment with a consultant endocrinologist; and his plans to appoint more diabetes consultants for the health service in the near future. [22468/03]

Services at Beaumont Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.

I met recently with the Diabetes Federation and indicated my support for the further development of diabetes services in this country.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

35 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to publish figures for those who are waiting to get on hospital waiting lists in view of figures recently published showing that patients in the south-east are waiting up to seven years to see an ear, nose and throat specialist and five years to see an orthopaedic surgeon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/03]

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department does not collect information relating to patients waiting to see a consultant. My Department's focus is on the waiting times for patients requiring admission to hospital for a procedure or treatment. Specific funding via the waiting list initiative and the national treatment purchase fund has been made available to health agencies to tackle these waiting lists.

As the Deputy has made specific reference to services provided in the South-Eastern Health Board I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.

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