AQW 17455/22-27


Mr Timothy Gaston
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim


Tabled Date: 25/10/2024
Answered On Date: 12/11/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the waiting time for a (i) hip replacement; and (ii) knee replacement, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust.


Answer:
The following table outlines the number of patients waiting for a hip replacement and those awaiting a knee replacement, broken down by Trust. Northern and South Eastern Trusts do not provide hip and knee replacement surgeries.
HIP REPLACEMENTS - Total Waits by time band, March 2024
Total Waiting
Trust
< 1 year
1-2 years
2-4 years
>4 years
Belfast
1,082
719
214
34
2,049
Southern
286
187
185
109
767
Western
589
408
219
130
1,346
Total Waiting
1,957
1,314
618
273
4,162
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KNEE REPLACEMENTS - Total Waits by time band, March 2024
Total Waiting
Trust
< 1 year
1-2 years
2-4 years
>4 years
Belfast
1,160
1,000
540
126
2,826
Southern
307
234
273
261
1,075
Western
814
682
555
335
2,386
Total Waiting
2,281
1,916
1,368
722
6,287
The current waiting times for primary joint replacement are unacceptable. Earlier this year a bid was made by my Department for £135m to help reduce elective waiting lists, including orthopaedics. Unfortunately, this bid was not supported, which was a missed opportunity to improve our waiting lists.