Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for elective procedures in neurosurgery at Beaumont hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15520/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times for inpatient hospital treatment falls within the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. Based on the latest information provided to the NTPF by Beaumont Hospital there were 351 patients waiting for elective neurosurgical procedures in mid-April 2006. This represents a decrease of approximately 18% on the number reported in September 2005 of 426. The decrease in the number waiting more than 12 months is even greater at 40%. The NTPF is continuing to work with Beaumont Hospital to refer eligible and suitable patients for treatment. However, there is limited capacity in the private sector for neurosurgery especially for specialised cases and complex patients.