HC Deb 18 May 1994 vol 243 cc469-70W
Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the waiting time for non-emergency neurosurgical admissions at the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast; how many consultant neurosurgeons are employed; how many beds are available; and what are the number of operating sessions each week;

(2) what hospitals in Northern Ireland provide neurosurgical facilities.

Mr. Ancram

The number of patients and the lengths of time they have been waiting for admission to the Royal Victoria hospital's neurosurgery unit at 31 March 1994, the latest date for which information is available, are set out in the table.

Waiting times (months) Ordinary admissions
0–2 85
3–5 43
6–8 35

Waiting times (months) Ordinary admissions
9–11 33
12–14 30
15–17 6
18–20 3
Total 235

There are currently four consultant neurosurgeons employed in the Royal Victoria hospital, the only hospital in Northern Ireland which provides neurosurgical facilities.

The average number of beds available during the period 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994 was 42. In the same period the average number of operating sessions held per week was 11.