§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many coronary bypass operations were carried out in each year since 1988–89.
§ Mr. HanleyThe information available centrally is as follows:
Coronary by-pass operations Number 1988–89 245 1989–90 318 1990–91 330
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the waiting list for coronary bypass operations in each of the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyInformation is not held centrally on the numbers waiting for specific operations. At September 1992, there were 874 people waiting for admission to the Royal Victoria hospital, Belfast for cardiac surgery. Cardiac surgery is not carried out in any other hospital in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps he will take to reduce the waiting list for coronary bypass operations in each of the health and social boards; and if he will make a statement;
(2) when the chief medical officer will complete his review of cardiac services; and if the report will be published;
(3) if he will refer the report of the chief medical officer into the review of cardiac services in Northern Ireland for independent review by experts nominated by the European Society of Cardiology;
(4) if he will take measures to ensure that an immediate assessment of present and future needs for cardiac surgery is undertaken, involving cardiologists and cardiac surgeons.
§ Mr. HanleyIn May this year, a fourth cardiac surgeon was appointed to the Royal Victoria hospital, thereby increasing the yearly number of health service cardiac operations at that hospital from 630 to 840. In November, a sum of £800,000 was allocated to boards to allow them to continue buying cardiac operations in England and elsewhere for patients who would otherwise have to continue waiting. Prior to November, more than 120 patients had already had cardiac surgery in Great Britain.
On 8 December, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in his announcement on the allocation of resources for the year ahead, indicated that the funds available for expenditure on health and social services in 1993–94 will amount to £1,318 million. Within this figure I am pleased to say that additional funds have been made available to meet charter guarantees on waiting times for hospital treatment and, in particular, cardiac surgery.
386WThe Department's chief medical officer has recently undertaken a review of cardiac surgery, with the aim of improving the cardiac surgery service and thereby reducing the waiting list and times still further. His report was issued for consultation on 30 October. The views of a wide range of interested groups and individuals have been invited, including cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Responses are still being received and when these have been fully considered, the Department intends to announce its conclusions and publish an action plan early in the new year. There are no plans to refer the chief medical officer's report for independent review by experts nominated by the European Society of Cardiology.