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Hospital Waiting Lists

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021

Wednesday, 31 March 2021

Ceisteanna (1136)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

1136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in all public hospitals; the length of time waiting in each hospital; if a record is being kept or will be kept of the number of bowel cancer and other serious illnesses picked up following the resumption of colonoscopies; if such figures will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result of the deferral of elective scheduled care activity in March, April and May of 2020, and since 2nd January 2021. This impact has been witnessed across all waiting list categories, including G.I. Endoscopy.

G.I. Endoscopy services were heavily affected during the first surge of COVID-19. In 2020 the scheduled care waiting list for GI Scopes grew by 46% (+10,295) to 32,539. In early 2021, due to the further curtailment of scheduled care, G.I. Scope waiting lists increased by a further 13% to 36,820 by the end of February 2021.

The HSE continues to work to improve access, particularly to urgent colonoscopy services. The HSE’s National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Acute Operations has recommended that, where possible, endoscopy services be maintained in the current surge. This may involve relocation of the service to designated non-COVID sites to preserve throughput or to private providers, if available.

In addition, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is working closely with individual hospitals to improve access to endoscopy/colonoscopy services for waiting list patients, including through the outsourcing of G.I. Scopes treatment to Private Hospitals where capacity is available. In 2020 the NTPF arranged 7,399 scopes for patients. The NTPF continues to commission treatment for patients and plans to double the number of scopes it arranges in 2021.

The table, provided by the NTPF, shows the number of patients awaiting a colonoscopy at each public hospital, by time band at the end of February 2021.

In relation to the specific query raised regarding records of bowel cancer and other serious illnesses diagnosed as a result of colonoscopies, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Colonoscopy List

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