Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2021
177. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting an ENT outpatient appointment at Tullamore Hospital for 1,2,3,4 and more than 5 years; the expected wait for new entrants onto the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/21]
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 care in public hospitals 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 to improve 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 regard to, the information requested by the Deputy, concerning the expected wait for new entrants onto the ENT waiting list, the NTPF has advised my Department that they don’t hold data to support reporting on expected wait times. The information requested concerning the number of persons awaiting an ENT outpatient appointment at Tullamore Hospital for 1,2,3,4 and more than 5 years, is outlined in the attached document.
ENT OP waiting list Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore as at 25/03/2021
|
0-12 Mths |
12-24 Mths |
24-36 Mths |
36-48 Mths |
48-60 Mths |
60+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
|
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore |
2190 |
2558 |
1618 |
1010 |
115 |
39 |
7530 |
|
Grand Total |
2190 |
2558 |
1618 |
1010 |
115 |
39 |
7530 |
