Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 March 2017

Wednesday, 8 March 2017

Ceisteanna (48, 53, 60, 101)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

48. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for reducing outpatient waiting times in Mayo University Hospital in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12095/17]

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

53. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for reducing outpatient waiting times in Beaumont Hospital in 2017. [12100/17]

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

60. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the South/South West Hospital Group has an action plan to reduce the waiting times for outpatients, with almost 11,000 appointments outstanding for more than 18 months at the end of January 2017. [12080/17]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for reducing outpatient waiting times in University College Hospital, Galway, in 2017. [12117/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 53, 60 and 101 together.

This Government is committed to reducing waiting times for patients, both for patients waiting for inpatient or daycase procedures and for outpatient appointments.

During 2016, there has been evidence of a considerable increase in demand for health services, as our population grows and ages.

In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, the HSE is currently developing Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the area of Inpatient Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services.

Draft Waiting List Action Plans for Inpatient Daycase and Scoliosis have been submitted. My Department is currently reviewing these plans and engagement is ongoing with the HSE and the NTPF.

In addition, in November, the HSE launched the Strategy for the Design of Integrated Outpatient Services 2016-2020. This strategy seeks to improve waiting times for outpatient services in the long term by restructuring referral pathways and utilising technology to improve service delivery. The HSE has also significantly progressed the development of a draft Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan. In this Plan, the HSE will identify proposals to reduce the number of patients waiting long periods of time for outpatient appointments across all hospitals.

I expect to make known the details of the HSE's Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan in the coming weeks.

Question No. 49 answered with Question No. 44.