There are almost 200 people on a waiting list for hip and knee replacements in Galway, some of whom have been waiting more than two years.
Ahead of a meeting of the Regional Health Forum this week, Councillor Donagh Mark Killilea asked how many were on waiting lists in Galway, and what the capacity for operations is.
The Tuam councillor said that he is meeting people who are, “In pain and told that they will need to wait up to two years for an operation.”
The HSE provided figures for 196 patients waiting for hip and knee replacements at Galway University Hospitals.
Of those on the waiting list, 73 have been waiting for an operation for over nine months, which is the National Service Plan target for inpatient and day case procedures for 2023.
The HSE also said that current staffing levels at surgical theatres allow for 12 operations to be carried out each week.
However, approval has also been given to hire additional staff that will bring this up to a maximum of 20 sessions a week.
