Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I note the Minister used to write letters similar to that written by Mr. Paddy Kenny. I note the Minister's hope that a re-organisation of the hospital system will produce a better result. However, the people on the waiting list tend to be older people who need knee and hip replacement surgery. If they have to be on a waiting list for more than a year they will be suffering from pain and trauma. My constituent tells me that he has difficulty walking to the shops and his condition is getting worse. A person should not have to endure that kind of pain in their older years. Such cases should be prioritised.

Is there a particular problem in Cappagh hospital not replicated anywhere else? If such a problem can be addressed would it mean that the waiting time of 15 months could be reduced? The Minister referred to other hospitals in his reply. Would it be possible to send patients to another hospital for the same orthopaedic surgery? Is that an option for patients?

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