Waiting List figures are published each month by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on their website www.ntpf.ie.
Figures for the end of June 2018 indicate there were 368 patients on the IPDC waiting list for CUMH which represents a reduction of 28% (147 patients) when compared to the same period last year. While at the end of June 2018, there were 3,755 patients on the outpatient waiting list for CUMH which represents a reduction of 17% (769 patients) when compared to the same period last year.
In recent years, CUMH, has received funding to invest in the improvement in its Gynaecology Services. In 2018, €0.4m in funding was allocated by South/South West Health Group (SSWHG) for CUMH gynaecology services. There is currently no capital funding allocated to CUMH in the HSE Capital Plan.
The Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018 which was published earlier this year outlines the combined impact of HSE and NTPF activity in 2018 to reduce the number of patients waiting for treatment. Under the Plan, the NTPF and the HSE will invite proposals from hospitals for waiting list initiatives. The NTPF will provide funding to the solutions proposed if appropriate.
In January 2017, a National Women & Infants Health Programme was established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services.
In addition, the SSWHG has developed a phased approach to improve waiting times for gynaecology services at CUMH. This includes the establishment of the SSWHG Women and Children Services Directorate in 2017, which, I expect, will ensure better coordination and utilisation of maternity gynaecological resources across the group.
In relation to the operation of the theatres, gynaecology day unit and the development of a one stop shop, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
