Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Department of Health

Hospital Waiting Lists

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1448. To ask the Minister for Health the extent of the waiting list for hip replacements; the plans in hand to overhaul such waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33793/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most routine scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and urgent time-critical work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such as the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.

In addition to core HSE activity, the NTPF have advised my department that they have also approved 8 Hip-Replacement Insourcing initiatives and 14 Hip-Replacement Outsourcing initiatives for funding so far in 2020, which will facilitate treatment for over 1,200 patients on hip replacement waiting lists.

The data requested by the Deputy concerning the waiting list for hip replacements, is outlined in the attached document.

Total IPDC Waiters for Hip Replacement by Hospital by Wait Time Band as at 24/09/2020

Sum of Total Column Labels
Row Labels 0-9 Months 9-15 Months 15-18 Months 18 Months + Grand Total
Beaumont Hospital 12 10 22
CHI at Crumlin 5 5
CHI at Temple St 6 6
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown 21 21
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital 86 5 91
Galway University Hospitals 101 43 18 45 207
Kilcreene Regional Orthopaedic Hospital 85 10 95
Letterkenny University Hospital 57 26 6 89
Mayo University Hospital 36 9 5 21 71
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore 42 29 15 86
National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh 307 26 333
Our Lady's Hospital Navan 88 16 104
Sligo University Hospital 43 13 56
Small Volume Hospitals 7 14 21 7 49
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital 20 20
St. James's Hospital 19 9 28
Tallaght University Hospital 103 35 8 146
University Hospital Kerry 46 21 67
University Hospital Waterford 8 8 16
Grand Total 1086 265 44 117 1512

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1449. To ask the Minister for Health the extent of the waiting lists in respect of coronary procedures and heart, lung and kidney transplants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33794/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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