Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting spinal fusion procedures; if the waiting lists have improved in recent times with a view to being in a position to offer the treatment within six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21162/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, I committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.
Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019. The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published in March and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments.
According to data provided by the NTPF, as of April 2019, there are 211 patients on the spinal fusion waiting list. This represents a decrease of 32% (-101) when compared with December 2017 and a decrease of 51% (-220) when compared to July 2017. Furthermore, in April 2019, the number of patients waiting over 9 months for a spinal fusion procedure decreased by 53% compared to December 2017 and decreased by 71% when compared to July 2017.
The data requested by the Deputy is outlined in more detail in the document attached. It should be noted that the waiting list as compiled by the NTPF is based on the collation of information for the following procedures:
- Decompression of cervical spinal cord with anterior fusion, 1 level
- Decompression of cervical spinal cord with anterior fusion, 2 or more levels
- Posterior spinal fusion, 1 or 2 levels
- Posterior spinal fusion, 3 or more levels
- Posterolateral spinal fusion, 1 or 2 levels
- Posterolateral spinal fusion, 3 or more levels
- Posterior spinal fusion with laminectomy, 1 level
- Posterolateral spinal fusion with laminectomy, 1 level
- Posterior spinal fusion with laminectomy, 2 or more levels
- Posterolateral spinal fusion with laminectomy, 2 or more levels
- Anterior spinal fusion, 1 level
- Anterior spinal fusion, 2 or more levels
Spinal Fusion IPDC Comparison
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
|
Jul-2017 |
74 |
64 |
34 |
32 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
21 |
26 |
13 |
14 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
16 |
22 |
10 |
11 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
32 |
14 |
11 |
5 |
|
RCSI Hospitals Group |
||||
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
5 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
Dec-2017 |
55 |
49 |
49 |
29 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
23 |
16 |
3 |
5 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
6 |
8 |
21 |
15 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
16 |
19 |
22 |
7 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
6 |
2 |
||
|
Apr-2019 |
75 |
44 |
17 |
10 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
14 |
22 |
8 |
3 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
31 |
9 |
3 |
2 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
22 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
2 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
6 |
1 |
Table cntd...
|
Row Labels |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
|
Jul-2017 |
42 |
48 |
137 |
431 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
6 |
11 |
12 |
103 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
30 |
33 |
101 |
223 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
6 |
4 |
19 |
91 |
|
RCSI Hospitals Group |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
4 |
13 |
||
|
Dec-2017 |
31 |
16 |
83 |
312 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
6 |
2 |
5 |
60 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
16 |
8 |
69 |
143 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
8 |
5 |
6 |
83 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
1 |
1 |
3 |
18 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
8 |
|||
|
Apr-2019 |
7 |
14 |
44 |
211 |
|
Children's Health Ireland |
1 |
2 |
6 |
56 |
|
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group |
4 |
5 |
18 |
72 |
|
Ireland East Hospital Group |
1 |
4 |
16 |
55 |
|
Saolta University Health Care Group |
1 |
3 |
4 |
21 |
|
South/South West Hospital Group |
7 |
