Hospital Waiting Lists.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004

Wednesday, 7 April 2004

Ceisteanna (53, 54)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

44 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the efforts he has made to reduce hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/04]

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

48 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects that the next hospital waiting list figures will be published; the steps he intends to take to reduce the numbers on the lists and the waiting periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10790/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 48 together.

My Department collates and publishes acute hospital waiting list data which is submitted by health agencies in respect of the position as at 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December each year. Figures in respect of the position as at 31 December 2003 are being collated at present.

Significant progress has been achieved in reducing waiting times for adults and children. The number of adults waiting more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialties has fallen by approximately 42% from 6,273 to 3,658 between September 2002 and September 2003. The number of children waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialties has decreased by 39%, from 1,201 to 734 in the same period.

The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is continuing to target those adults and children waiting longest for treatment. It is now the case that, in most instances, adults waiting more than six months for an operation and children waiting more than three months will be facilitated by the fund. In many instances, if patients are prepared to exercise choice by travelling to where there is capacity, they can be treated more quickly. To date, the fund has arranged treatment for approximately 12,000 patients.

I decided to give a significant lead role to the NTPF in targeting waiting times for patients. In this regard I provided an increase in the level of funding for the NTPF in 2004 bringing its overall allocation to €44 million.