Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 29 June 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee.

Orthopaedic Centres

Question: I thank the Minister for that response, and it is reassuring that he is looking into providing a service at Craigavon and Antrim hospitals. What plans are there to attract more orthopaedic staff to the national health service, given the large waiting lists, and how does he intend to deal with the backlog caused by those lists?

Answer: I am looking into the backlog across the health service. We are recruiting more staff for orthopaedic provision—we had a significant deficiency before—and we are continuing to do so. One of the major things that I am trying to bring to the health service in Northern Ireland is a strategic focus on what might be described as real priorities. Waiting times and waiting lists are a major problem in the health service in Northern Ireland, and next Monday I will be making a major announcement to bring Northern Ireland in line with England on waiting times, which will include orthopaedic services.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: NIGC c3
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons Grand Committees
Subjects: Hospitals NHS Northern Ireland Recruitment Waiting lists Orthopaedics