Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2018
230. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason the number of outpatients waiting more than 18 months for an appointment in Cork hospitals increased from 993 in December 2015 to 7,339 in December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6432/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraReducing waiting times for patients is one of the Government's key priorities. In addition, all patients are prioritised according to clinical need.
The Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan 2017 contained a specific target to reduce by 50% the number of patients who would be waiting 15 months or more for outpatient appointments by removing over 95,000 patients from the Outpatient Waiting List by the end of October 2017. This target was met within the time-frame and performance up to the week ending 3 November 2017 saw nearly 100,000 patients come off the list.
Notwithstanding, the Outpatient Waiting List remains a significant challenge to be addressed in 2018. Outpatient activity has increased year-on-year, while the gap between referrals and appointment activity continues to widen, with 2017 data from the HSE indicating a gap of over 1,200 patients per week. Moreover, almost half a million (479,000) outpatients did not attend their outpatient appointment last year. This is an area that needs to be tackled.
Recent experience in relation to waiting list initiatives, including outsourcing, suggests that there are opportunities for further improvements and a number of steps including the commencement of a national waiting list validation project by the HSE, are being taken to ensure the lists are accurate. These efforts are to intensify in the coming months. My Department has also requested the HSE to develop an Outpatient Waiting List Action Plan for 2018, building on progress achieved last year.
In relation to the particular query raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
