Ivor Callely
Question:154 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if she will outline (1) the number of public patients awaiting heart surgery in the Dublin area, (2) the hospitals involved and (3) the waiting period in the case of each hospital.
Written Answers. - Cardiac Surgery.
Bernard Allen
Question:169 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the average duration of the waiting period in respect of cardiac surgery.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 169 together.
Heart surgery for public patients is performed in two locations in the Dublin area, the Mater Misericordiae Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.
The admission of a patient to hospital for cardiac surgery is, of course, a clinical decision taken by the consultant concerned and is based on the patient's condition and not on the length of time on the list. Emergency cases are dealt with immediately.
The number of patients from the Dublin area awaiting heart surgery at the Mater Hospital was 331 and 11 at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin as at 22 November 1991.