Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2018
169. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the plans the HSE has to support University Hospital Kerry to reduce the three-year wait time for a routine ENT outpatient appointment at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures and outpatient appointments is a key commitment in the Programme for Government. While the Inpatient and Day Case (IPDC) Action Plan was published in April to address waiting times for IPDC procedures, the Outpatient waiting list remains a significant challenge to be addressed in 2018.
Each year, 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments. A number of steps are being taken to ensure the lists are accurate and these efforts are to intensify in the coming months with the creation of the Outpatients Action Plan for 2018 focused on improving overall use of resources to tackle long patient waiting times and ensuring timely access to treatment and care for patients.
In relation to your particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
