Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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164. To ask the Minister for Health the status of joint operations at University Hospital Kerry; and the number of patients waiting for same at the hospital. [41451/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. However, the provision of a safe service for all of our patients is also paramount.

The HSE advise that the elective Arthroplasty (joint replacement) service at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) has been suspended to allow for a review of the infection control protocol. During this time significant structural and process improvements/upgrades have been made including the physical relocation of the ward. The elective arthroplasty service will recommence week beginning 15 October.

The HSE further note that noother aspect of the orthopaedic service has been affected by this closure and that emergency arthroplasty services have continued throughout this period. UHK Management are liaising with the orthopaedic surgeons regarding how best to address backlog, which will be performed internally.

Waiting list data complied by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for the end of September indicates that 154 patients are awaiting orthopaedic inpatient or daycase procedures at UHK, of which 152 (98.7%) are waiting less than 9 months.