Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Hospital Waiting Lists.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Ceisteanna (562)

John Bruton

Ceist:

744 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the current 18 months to two year waiting lists in hospitals for ear, nose and throat out-patient appointments for children; the facilities put in place to reduce these waiting lists; when we can expect waiting lists to be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21352/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with health strategy objectives, the Government's immediate focus is on the reduction of waiting lists and waiting times for in-patient and day case treatments in acute hospitals. This is being particularly facilitated by the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF.

The NTPF has reported that waiting times have fallen significantly with 37% of patients now waiting between three and six months and 43% waiting between six and 12 months for surgery. Some 80% of patients now wait less than one year for surgical treatment. This represents a major reduction in the length of time patients have to wait. The NTPF has been successful in arranging treatments for approximately 18,000 patients up to the end of August 2004. It is now the case that, in most instances, anyone waiting more than three months will now be facilitated by the fund.

According to the Comhairle na nOspidéal report on consultant staffing, on 1 January 2004 there were 1,824 consultant posts in the public sector in Ireland. This represents an increase of 41% in the last six years.

Responsibility for the management and monitoring of outpatient waiting lists rests with the individual hospitals and health boards concerned. It is a matter for each hospital to prioritise its services based on patient need and use their available resources to best effect to ensure that patient services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Barr
Roinn