Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
896. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for surgery for hip and knee replacements after the initial outpatients consultation by an orthopaedic consultant in Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra924. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the waiting times to be seen by an orthopaedic consultant for an initial hip and knee consultation in Letterkenny University Hospital, County Donegal for routine and urgent referrals, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25554/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 896 and 924 together.
Improving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients.
The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan includes a focus on orthopaedic patients with 800 of the 20,000 NTPF funded procedures planned for patients requiring hip/knee replacements.
In 2018, under the Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting over 9 months for a hip/knee replacement will be offered treatment this year.
Information provided by the NTPF (tables attached) set out (i) the Outpatient waiting list figures for patients awaiting an appointment to see an orthopaedic specialist/consultant at Letterkenny University Hospital; and (ii) waiting list figures for patients who have been placed on Inpatient/Daycase waiting list (post initial Outpatients consultation) for hip & knee replacements at Letterkenny University Hospital.
|
- |
- |
|||||||
|
- |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Revision of total arthroplasty of hip |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|||
|
Total arthroplasty of hip, unilateral |
18 |
11 |
15 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
53 |
|
Total arthroplasty of knee, unilateral |
20 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
43 |
|
Grand Total |
39 |
19 |
22 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
101 |
The NTPF advise:
A hip/knee arthroplasty usually refers to a surgical replacement of the hip/knee joint with an artificial prosthesis.
A patient can be listed for one side i.e. a unilateral.
A patient can also be listed for a bilateral replacement i.e. the patient needs both hips replaced.
When a patient needs both hips replaced this can be done in a single hospital admission during one surgery i.e. the patient has only one anaesthetic (not all surgeons do this and not all patients are clinically suitable for this option), or the patient can be treated by carrying out two separate operations.
