Jim O'Callaghan
Question:154. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to reduce outpatient waiting times in St. Vincent’s University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42311/20]
View answerThursday, 10 December 2020
Questions (154)
Written answers
It 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.
The St Vincent’s University Hospital Outpatient waiting list is outlined in the attached document. The latest NTPF figures show that there are currently 25,487 patients on the St Vincent’s University Hospital Outpatient waiting list. Of these, 43% (11,055) are waiting 6 months or less and 64% (16,339) are waiting 12 months or less.
In addition to core HSE activity, the NTPF has advised my department that to date this year they have funded outpatient initiatives for Dermatology, Endocrinology, Haematology, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Rheumatology, and Urology for 4,869 patients on outpatient waiting lists at St Vincent’s University Hospital.