Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
503. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an outpatient appointment at Mayo University Hospital and University Hospital Galway in comparison to the same period in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22580/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last year as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Elective hospital care was curtailed for the first quarter of 2021, in line with the rapid increase in Covid -19 hospital admissions, with only critical time dependent elective procedures undertaken.
On 23 March the HSE published the “Safe Return to Health Services Plan”. This plan outlines a three phased approach for the proposed restoration of services across Community Services, Acute Hospital Operations, Cancer Services and Screening Services. It sets target times for their safe return and details the conditions and challenges that will have to be met. Every phase of the plan has been informed by clinical guidance and putting patient and staff safety first. Decisions in relation to the type and volume of activity will be made at site level based on local COVID-19 numbers, available capacity and guidance from national clinical leads.
The schedule outlined in the plan for resumption of services will be regularly monitored by the HSE and updated as appropriate, dependant on public health advice and healthcare capacity.
Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The work of the HSE to improve access to elective care and reduce waiting times for patients is supported by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). This includes increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.
€240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for access to care, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This will be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as to address waiting lists.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the National Treatment Purchase Fund has provided the attached table which shows the number of children awaiting an Outpatient appointment at Galway and Mayo University Hospitals at the end of March 2019 and March 2021.
Children awaiting Outpatient appointments at Mayo and Galway University Hospitals, March 2019 and March 2021
|
Sum of Count |
Column Labels |
|||||||
|
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18 Months + |
Grand Total |
|
28/03/2019 |
2109 |
1078 |
638 |
618 |
438 |
272 |
988 |
6141 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
1635 |
907 |
532 |
476 |
332 |
202 |
592 |
4676 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
474 |
171 |
106 |
142 |
106 |
70 |
396 |
1465 |
|
25/03/2021 |
1139 |
1184 |
658 |
323 |
593 |
461 |
1821 |
6179 |
|
Galway University Hospitals |
924 |
973 |
580 |
277 |
500 |
378 |
1150 |
4782 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
215 |
211 |
78 |
46 |
93 |
83 |
671 |
1397 |
