Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that the circumstances in which the country finds itself are not ideal. I realise somebody else got into trouble for saying this, but I believe we have made significant progress, even in terms of additional revenue being allocated to the health service. The things that happened should not have happened and the consequence is that we have developed waiting lists for people such as the lady the Deputy mentioned. I am sure that when orthopaedic surgeons, or any other surgeons, general practitioners or nurse managers, look at a person's circumstances, they do not just concentrate on the pain and that they take all other issues into account.

The Minister for Health and I have discussed this virtually every week and it is our intention that the long waiters, the people who have been waiting more than 12 months, must be catered for. I have met many surgeons in my area in Cork. They tell me that the circumstances are such that by the time they get to see eight new patients per week, that is a significant number in the context of the return visits, patients who must be managed, theatre time and so forth, six of them will be recommended for immediate surgery. There are issues with orthopaedics that we must confront and on which we must concentrate. The difficulty is, as the Deputy knows, that as soon as we get that area resolved, another area will emerge. It is always about the prioritisation.

The additional money for Cappagh hospital this year will help. I have never been one of those who say that consultant surgeons do not work hard enough. My personal experience is that they work extraordinarily hard and long hours. They generally are not people who shy away from work. With the extra theatres open and the additional money, I am very hopeful that the Deputy will see an improvement in the waiting times experienced by the people he represents.

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