Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 863: To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive west has plans to transfer orthopaedic services from Merlin Park hospital to University Hospital Galway; if he agrees with its proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 864: To ask the Minister for Health the impact of the non-replacement of nursing staff on elective orthopaedic surgery at Merlin Park hospital, Galway, by explaining the theatre activity; and the numbers on the waiting list waiting more than six months. [41054/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 865: To ask the Minister for Health the corrective action he is taking to ensure the 6,000 persons on the orthopaedic outpatient waiting list in Galway will be seen; the way this will be done; and the amount of time it will take to be resolved. [41055/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 866: To ask the Minister for Health his views that staff shortages are impacting on orthopaedic surgery in University Hospital Galway. [41056/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 863 to 866, inclusive, together.

I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies - mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. This work will continue in 2012 to both maintain the 12 month maximum waiting time and to further reduce waiting times by the end of 2012.

With regard to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as they are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.