John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the fact that a total of 16,316 operations were cancelled here in 2008 and that this is a 10% increase on 2007 when 14,903 operations were cancelled; the actions she will take to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6684/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The figures referred to by the Deputy were supplied by the HSE on foot of a previous Parliamentary Question. The number of cancellations relates to the number of surgical, medical and day case procedures and does not represent a figure for cancelled operations alone. The figures include cancellations made by patients as well as those made by hospitals.

It must be stressed that, when a booking for a procedure has been cancelled, most hospitals will automatically reschedule the patient for the next available appointment and priority is given to any case deemed to be urgent.

Cancellations are a feature of every hospital system.The number of cancellations in Ireland is considered to be in line with those experienced in hospital systems internationally. Cancellations for surgical, medical or day case procedures may occur for a number of reasons. In a significant number of cases, cancellations will have resulted following a clinical decision that the patient was not deemed suitable for a procedure on that particular day.

The number of cancellations across the acute hospital system should also be viewed in the context of overall hospital activity. The figure of approximately 15,000 cancellations in 2007 represents 1.5 % of over 1 million admissions. Similarly, the figure of approximately 16,000 in 2008 represents just 1.3% of total admissions.

In relation to surgical procedures, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case. The HSE works in collaboration with the NTPF in ensuring that, where appropriate, patients are facilitated in availing of treatment under the scheme. The average median wait time under the NTPF is under 3 months.