Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that the orthopaedic unit at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, which serves the entire north-east region of Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath remains fully operational and is not closed for any period to make savings at the cost of patient care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32219/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it has been reviewing the need for cost containment measures between now and year end to ensure that expenditure across the Louth/Meath Hospital group, including Our Lady's Hospital, Navan is managed within the approved budget. The HSE has indicated that savings will need to be achieved in a number of areas including overtime, on call, agency and locum costs. This may involve some reduction in elective activity. The HSE is working to maintain elective orthopaedic services as far as possible and funding has been reprioritised in this context. Any necessary measures are being discussed with senior clinicians. It is not expected that the waiting lists for adult elective inpatient orthopaedic procedures in the North East will breach the national target limit of 6 months. The waiting lists are currently at 3 months or less in the region.