David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

236. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the orthopaedic waiting lists in County Cork by hospital; the number of patients currently on the waiting list for initial consultation and surgery respectively; the timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20654/13]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has completed its validation of the orthopaedic waiting list which commenced in July 2012; the effect, if any, of this on waiting lists in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20655/13]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

238. To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has completed the Orthopaedic Outpatient Improvement Plan; the effect, if any, of this on waiting lists in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/13]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

239. To ask the Minister for Health the number of public orthopaedic consultants in each hospital in County Cork; if these consultants are permanent full time staff; when they took up their positions; the frequency of their outpatient clinics; the plans if any to recruit further public orthopaedic consultants to address long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/13]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made with the Musculoskeletal Initiative in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, which forms part of the Health Service Executive National Clinical Programme for Orthopaedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20658/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 240 ,inclusive, together.

Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment. The National Treatment Purchase Fund has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data and, for the first time data is available on www.ntpf.ie. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals enabling resources to be targeted appropriately. In parallel, the SDU is working with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time.

In relation to the specific queries regarding orthopaedic services in Cork, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to these matters.