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Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2019

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

Ceisteanna (356)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients awaiting cardiovascular procedures; the length of time they have been on waiting lists for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49154/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government. In this regard, the Government is committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures.

The latest published National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures for October show that there are 3,969 patients on the Cardiology Inpatient and Daycase (IPDC) waiting list. Of these, 75% (2,964) are waiting 6 months or less and 86% (3,429) are waiting 9 months or less. With regard to cardiology long waiters, there are 341 patients waiting over 12 months, which is a 13% decrease when compared to the same period last year.

The latest NTPF figures show that there 651 patients on the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery IPDC waiting list. Of these, 67% (437) are waiting 6 months or less and 82% (533) are waiting 9 months or less.

In recent years, my Department has worked with the HSE and NTPF to make considerable improvements to access for patients waiting for high volume procedures and life limiting procedures including angiograms. Waiting list figures for the end of October 2019 show that the number of people waiting nationally for an angiogram procedure has decreased, from 3,149 in July 2017 to 2,037. In this same period, there has also been a reduction of 83% in the number of patients waiting over 9 months for an angiogram procedure.

Budget 2020 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the NTPF increasing from €75 million in 2019 to €100 million in 2020.

My Department is working with the HSE and NTPF to develop the Scheduled Care Access Plan 2020. The National Service Plan 2020 will set out HSE planned activity level for the year ahead, while the NTPF will work with the hospital system to provide additionality to improve access to inpatient/daycase treatment and with a particular focus on hospital outpatient services.

In this regard, I would encourage all hospital groups and individual hospitals to engage with the NTPF to identify waiting list proposals for the remainder of this year and for 2020. 

The data requested by the deputy is outlined in the documents at the link.

Cardiology & Cardio-Thoracic Surgery IPDC Waiting Times

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