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"Waiting list to get on 'waiting list' now exceeds almost 400 patients," says Deputy McGrath
Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his astonishment that the waiting list for appointments with orthopaedic surgeons in the Midland Health Board is now 385.
"While many people in this area have to wait up to 2 years for hip operations, it has now been revealed that 385 people are awaiting first appointments with orthopaedic surgeons to get on those waiting lists," says Deputy McGrath.
This evidence was made available to Deputy McGrath on foot of a Parliamentary Question to the Minister. The details show 136 patients waiting up to 3 months for an appointment, a further 103 waiting between 3-6 months for this important appointment.
"This means that many patients have to wait over 3 years from first being diagnosed as needing hip surgery to actually having surgery," says McGrath.
"This is a disgrace and brings shame to me as a member of the Midland Health Board," says McGrath.
"While the number of hip replacement operations has increased in recent years - up from 106 in 1994 to 231 in 2000 - nonetheless waiting times are still totally unacceptable," says McGrath.
"Since the recent European Court of Justice ruling concerning waiting time for treatment and the possibility of patients getting treatment abroad - it is now imperative that a definitive statement be issued by the Minister for Health," says Deputy McGrath.
"Health is a major issue and this Government is presiding over longer waiting lists and the new phenomenon of 'waiting lists' to get on waiting lists," says McGrath.
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