A DUBLIN North West TD is calling for action to prevent further closures of theatres in Cappagh Hospital that were shut down recently because there was no replacement hips and knees for procedures.
Deputy Dessie Ellis (SF) said it was disgrace that four of the hospital’s six theatres were out of action at a time when over 250 people were waiting a year or more for surgery.
“It is a scandal that four out of the six theatres in Cappagh were out of action due to lack of staff, consultants and equipment such as artificial limbs and other necessary parts over the last few months,” he said.
“How can waiting lists be reduced if this is the case?”
The Sinn Fein TD said the recent budget did nothing to address the staffing crisis in hospitals and added the issue went beyond money.
“Each person on those waiting lists is in pain and putting their life on hold waiting for this important surgery,” he continued.
“There is nothing in this budget that is going to increase resources and staffing levels to cut the waiting lists.”
Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said he had visited Cappagh Hospital recently and has promised to allocate additional resources.
“Four of its six theatres are closed not because they did not have the consultants but because, under activity-based funding, they had run out of parts,” he said.
“That creates huge frustration among patients who are waiting and creates huge issues in regard to retaining skilled professionals in this country.
“I have made a decision to allocate additional resources to Cappagh in the budget for my department and within the HSE service plan for 2017. We have allocated €3 million to Cappagh for 570 orthopaedic patients to receive funding through the winter initiative which will eliminate the hospital’s 18-month target.”