Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
904. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a major reconfiguration of the health services can be undertaken with a view to a specific deadline in 2022 for the elimination of various waiting lists by way of the utilisation of whatever means might be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8415/22]
View answerThe 2022 waiting list action plan, which I will be bringing to Government shortly, builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The actions under the 2021 plan delivered immediate extra activity that resulted in a 5.4% reduction in overall waiting lists. That’s over 40,000 additional men, women and children no longer on waiting lists.
The short-term plan also incorporated reform actions that will continue to be progressed as part of the 2022 waiting list action plan. This reform work includes: revised waiting list management protocols; improved data collection and information; and further work towards improving patient pathways of care, with some 37 priority scheduled care pathways across 16 specialties on track for implementation in 2022. These will ensure the availability of more timely access to care for people in settings closer to their communities and homes.
The Waiting List Task Force has produced a comprehensive 2022 waiting list action plan and will meet regularly to drive progress of this plan, as well as continuing to work to identify new and innovative ways to improve access to care for our citizens.
The 2022 Plan commits €350 million to further reducing waiting lists and improving waiting times this year, including €150 million funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
This plan is the first year of a multi-annual reform plan to bring about meaningful changes to achieve sustained reductions in waiting list numbers and waiting times.
But most importantly it will positively impact the lives of the many men, women and children on those waiting lists who deserve, and will get, more timely health care as a result.
