John Brady
Ceist:123. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of the integrated hospital waiting list management system, Comhlista. [27656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 21 June 2017
Ceisteanna (123)
Freagraí scríofa
This Government is committed to reducing waiting times for patients, and I am keenly aware that waiting times are often unacceptably long and this places a significant burden on patients and their families.
In order to reduce this burden for patients and to ensure that best practice is applied in how waiting lists are managed, I am open to evaluating new approaches to waiting list management in our health service. I agree that greater integration of hospital waiting list management systems is a step in the right direction and IT can play a significant role in underpinning these integrated approaches.
On this basis, on 15th February during a Private Members Business debate in the Seanad regarding waiting lists and Comhliosta, I committed to asking the NTPF to establish and lead a project team of relevant experts and stakeholders to examine the feasibility of progressing to a more integrated approach to waiting list management at Hospital Group level.
Over the last few months the NTPF has been scoping out the structure and format of this study. The first meeting of the steering group took place last week and a workshop will follow later this month. I have asked the NTPF to report to me by the end of August and I will examine their recommendations once the study has been finalised.