Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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396. To ask the Minister for Health the status of persons on waiting lists for operations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11203/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The South/South West Hospital Group, of which Kerry General Hospital is a constituent hospital, provides the vast majority of surgical procedures for patients resident in Kerry. The total number of patients on the waiting list for ophthalmology surgery in the South/South West Hospital Group is 834. 55% (461) of these patients are waiting <6 months. 26 patients are waiting >15 months, which is the maximum waiting time determined by the previous Minister for Health.

The 2016 HSE Service Plan undertakes to maintain 2015 levels of service in respect of scheduled care and continues to address waiting times with Hospital Groups as part of the regular performance and accountability process. The HSE has established a Scheduled Care Governance Group to coordinate key initiatives to reduce waiting list numbers. In 2016, the HSE is focussing on key activities including:

- ensuring that chronological scheduling is adhered to;

- putting in place administrative and clinical validation procedures to ensure that patients are available for treatment;

- relocating high-volume low complexity surgeries to smaller hospitals; and

- designating an improvement lead for each hospital group, to provide support in meeting national targets for appointment and treatment

In line with the NTPF Strategic Plan 2016, the NTPF is undertaking the following key deliverables in 2016:

- supporting the HSE in the delivery of improved waiting list for scheduled care, particularly in relation to the management of inpatient, day case and outpatient waiting lists;

- working with the HSE to assist hospitals in the development of local demand and capacity planning tools and mechanisms; and

- developing technical guidance materials for hospitals to ensure the highest standard of data quality and practice.

In addition, the Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE in planning a dedicated waiting list initiative, which will be rolled out in 2016. Also, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to provide €15m to the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists and the Department will engage with the NTPF and the HSE regarding the development of this initiative.