Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2013
263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in outpatient waiting lists at Letterkenny General Hospital; if his further attention has been drawn to the delays in a number of departments where significant numbers of patients are waiting in excess of one year; the actions he will take to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32682/13]
View answer268. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays in outpatient waiting lists at Letterkenny General Hospital; if his attention has been further drawn to the delays in a number of departments where significant numbers of patients are waiting in excess of one year: his plans to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32746/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 268 together.
Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Collaborating with individual hospitals, the SDU, together with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE, has developed the outpatient waiting list minimum dataset. This allows data to be submitted to the NTPF from hospitals on a weekly basis and, for the first time, outpatient data is available on www.ntpf.ie. For 2013, a maximum waiting time target has been set of 12 months for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE service plan. The SDU and the NTPF will work closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.
In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.
