Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting and average wait times for orthopaedic treatment in County Mayo by type of treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42441/20]

Stephen 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.

The NTPF have advised my Department that there are 643 patients on the IPDC orthopaedics waiting list with an area of residence in County Mayo. The average wait time for an orthopaedic procedure for those is 316 days. Further information as requested by the Deputy concerning orthopaedic treatment in Co. Mayo is outlined in the attached  document.  

Total IPDC Waiters for an Orthopaedic Procedure with an Area of Resisdence in Co.Mayo by Specialty by Procedure as at 29/10/2020

Average Wait Time for an Orthopaedic Procedure for those with an Area of Residence in Co.Mayo