John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons now on the waiting list at Waterford Regional Hospital for 2012; the number of persons left on trolleys or on chairs in Waterford Regional Hospital this year in comparison to 2011; and the number of men that have been diagnosed with prostate cancer this year in comparison to 2011 [30377/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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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 improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. 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. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or daycase surgery.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.