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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Ceisteanna (2001, 2002)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

2001. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic treatments carried out nationally by month, over the past year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34550/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

2002. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of orthopaedic treatments carried out in County Cork by month, over the past year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34551/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2001 and 2002 together.

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is 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 waiting times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments. The plan places a strong focus on ten high-volume Inpatient/Day Case procedures, including hip/knee replacements. When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these high-volume procedures.

The NTPF advise that over recent months they have placed a particular focus on engaging with hospital groups and individual hospitals to identify waiting list proposals. The NTPF welcomes proposals from all acute hospitals for initiatives to improve access for patients on waiting lists.

In relation to the particular queries raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

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