Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
787. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of children on hospital waiting lists compared with the same period in 2018 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36783/20]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.
In addition the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
In relation to the number of children on hospital waiting lists compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019, the NTPF has provided my Department with the information requested in the table attached. The NTPF has further advised that within the Public Health System, children are generally classified as those under the age of 16, while the figures in the attached table also include patients between 16 and 18 years of age, to reflect patients who were under 18 at the end of October 2018, 2019 and 2020 according to the date of birth received from the relevant hospital.
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Hospital Waiting lists for under 18's end October 2018 - 2020 |
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|
Waiting List Type |
End Oct 2018 |
End Oct 2019 |
End Oct 2020 |
|
GI Scope |
441 |
487 |
533 |
|
IPDC |
6978 |
7084 |
8160 |
|
Outpatient |
92022 |
93124 |
93088 |
