Written answers

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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454. To ask the Minister for Health the status of bariatric surgery in the State; if, following the publication of A Healthy Weight for Ireland - Obesity Policy and Action Plan, there will be additional funding for such surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31883/16]

Photo of Marcella Corcoran KennedyMarcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Bariatric services are provided in three public hospitals – St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) in Dublin, St. Columcille's Hospital (SCH) and Galway University Hospital (GUH).

A multidisciplinary weight management clinic is run in SCH with patients requiring surgery being referred to SVUH. As at July 2016, a total of 309 patients have undergone bariatric surgery. During the course of 2016, SVUH is aiming to deliver 30 bariatric surgeries.

All patients referred to the weight management programme in SCH undergo a one year multidisciplinary programme with input from dieticians, physiotherapists and psychologists. On average 50% of those referred will subsequently require surgery. As of 26th of July 2016, a total of 304 patients have been identified by the weight management programme in SCH as requiring Bariatric Surgery.

Galway University Hospital (GUH)

GUH has increased its outpatient clinics activity (including intensive weight management, Body Mass Index (BMI), Diabetes, Vascular and Bariatric Medicine Initiative with CROI) from 2 to 4 per week, as well as an extra clinic per month. As a result as of January 2016, the waiting list has been significantly reduced.

During 2015, a total of 36 (20 public and 16 private) bariatric surgery procedures were carried out in GUH. From January to July 2016, a total of 22 bariatric surgery procedures (12 public and 10 private) were carried out in GUH.

From January to June 2016, a total of 785 patients were reviewed in outpatient clinics at GUH to June 2016 and 131 of these were new patients. As at 31 August 2016, there were 72 patients on the out-patient Bariatric Surgery waiting list.

The Obesity Policy contains 60 actions which will be implemented, monitored and evaluated. The policy acknowledges that obesity prevention services in the community as well as specialist hospital services will need to be strengthened. A key element is the appointment of a Clinical Lead for Obesity in the Health Service Executive (HSE). The allocation of increased funding to Health and Wellbeing in the HSE will reflect that Obesity is a priority for the health services and included in the HSE service plan for 2017.

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