Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
17. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists nationally; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14260/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra22. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Mercy University Hospital, Cork; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14276/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra29. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Louth County Hospital; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14275/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Mid Western Regional Hospital, Croom, County Limerick; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14279/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Cork University Hospital; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, County Laois; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14286/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra74. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14313/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in St Luke’s General Hospital, County Kilkenny; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14308/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14310/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14278/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, County Cork; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14305/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, County Limerick; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14280/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in University College Hospital, County Galway; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14318/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene, Kilkenny; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14274/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra132. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, County Meath; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14297/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14289/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14263/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14282/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Cavan General Hospital; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14267/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Waterford Regional Hospital; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14321/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle inpatient and day case waiting lists in Wexford Hospital; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14324/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 22, 29, 52, 53, 59, 74, 89, 97, 106, 112, 113, 116, 126, 132, 135, 138, 142, 147, 154 and 156 together.
In 2011, I established the Special Delivery Unit in my Department as set out in the Programme for Government. The aim of the SDU is to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. The SDU's Scheduled Care Team focused initially on waiting times for in-patient and daycase elective surgery. For 2012, a target was set that no adult should wait longer than 9 months for inpatient or daycase treatment. By the end of December 2012, the number of adults having to wait more than 9 months for inpatient and day case surgery nationally had fallen to 86. This was down from 3,706 in December 2011, representing a 98% decrease
I am determined that the progress made in 2012 be maintained and improved upon. For 2013, the target is that no adult should be waiting longer than 8 months for inpatient or daycase treatment. It is important to recognise that the progress made in 2012 does not mean the problem is solved, and 2013 will of course be extremely challenging. For example, winter pressures in Emergency Departments have impacted on scheduled care waiting times. However, in the coming months, as winter pressures ease, the SDU will work towards re-balancing scheduled care to maintain the improvements seen in 2012 and to achieve the new 2013 target.
With regard to the specific hospitals referred to, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputies concerned.
