Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018
137. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be provided to address the unacceptable waiting times for orthopaedic appointments in respect of patients triaged as urgent in a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the NTPF to provide treatment for patients.
The recently launched Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan outlines the combined impact of HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) activity in 2018. The Action Plan includes a focus on orthopaedic patients with 800 of the 20,000 NTPF funded procedures planned for patients requiring hip/knee replacements.
In 2018, under the Plan, all clinically suitable patients waiting over 9 months for a hip/knee replacement will be offered treatment this year.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in regard to the individual patient enquiry.
