John Brassil
Ceist:427. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the long waiting times for ophthalmology services in both primary care and acute hospitals. [23545/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 May 2018
Ceisteanna (427)
Freagraí scríofa
Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for the Government.
Cataract surgery is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the Ophthalmology specialty. Through the work of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, the overall number of patients waiting for cataract surgery has fallen by 22% since July 2017, while the number of patients waiting more than 12 months has declined by 71% in the same period. For 2018, under the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting for more than 9 months for a Cataract procedure will be offered treatment this year, with 5,000 NTPF funded procedures planned in both public and private hospitals.
Last year funding was allocated to provide additional capacity at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital as a result and a cataract theatre is now operational three days per week. This year, in line with the Action Plan, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital in July.
In primary care, the HSE published the Report of the Primary Care Eye Services Review Group in June 2017. The Report sets out the way forward for a significant amount of eye services to be provided in a primary care setting. The recommendations of the Report are to be implemented on a phased basis subject to available resources.
To support the implementation of the Report, funding of €1m was allocated this year to establish primary care eye teams in South and West Dublin and further develop the primary care eye team in North Dublin to help alleviate waiting lists.