Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on developments in Cappagh hospital, Dublin; if he will provide an update on the number of operating theatres being used in comparison to full availability; his views on reports of work activity being severely reduced due to budget restraints (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital is a tertiary referral centre and receives referrals from all counties in Ireland for complex orthopaedic care, in addition to the provision of the national surgical bone tumour service. The Hospital has advised that it has experienced an unprecedented increase in demand for in-patient treatment throughout 2014. This is consistent with trends in other jurisdictions with similar demographic profiles.

The cumulative effect of a reducing allocation, cessation of NTPF funding and reduction in income has limited surgical capability. Cappagh Hospital has a total of 7 operating theatres. However, not all theatres have been in use in 2014, which is as a result of both constrained financial capability and availability of suitably qualified nursing staff for theatre.

In terms of access, urgent patients continue to be prioritised and Cappagh Hospital has advised that due to strict chronological booking policies, all patients attending the hospital are being offered dates for surgery based on their waiting time to surgery, with due regard to clinical categorisation. It has also advised that day case and outpatient activity targets will be achieved this year.

I understand that the HSE is in active engagement with Cappagh Hospital to examine and agree options for optimising the available theatre resources and to ensure patients have timely access. It is expected that the Hospital will be in a position to carry out additional activity before year end.