Written answers

Wednesday, 1 November 2006

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Waiting Lists

6:00 am

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is a two-year waiting list for orthopaedic surgery in the Cork area; her views on whether such a delay is causing undue hardship and pain to many of the 3,000 patients in Cork awaiting this type of surgery; the reasons the recommendation made by Comhairle in 1994 to appoint two extra orthopaedic surgeons to the region has not been acted on in the intervening twelve years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35691/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The HSE has advised me that there are approximately 2,517 patients on the outpatient orthopaedic waiting list at present. Since the 1994 Comhairle recommendations, one additional permanent consultant orthopaedic surgeon post has been approved and filled. In July 2006, negotiations were completed with the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, to implement an outpatient waiting list initiative which would focus on those waiting longest on the list. The position at present is that 1306 patients on the orthopaedic outpatient waiting list have been contacted by the NTPF. Of these, 498 have accepted referral by the NTPF to another agency for review and follow up.

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