Sharp rise in numbers awaiting appointments at Mayo University Hospital
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that 12,847 patients are currently awaiting appointments at Mayo University Hospital, a rise of 6,310 in the past year.
He was responding to a parliamentary question by Mayo TD Rose Conway Walsh.
Over 6,500 of those have been awaiting for their appointments at the Castlebar facility for over a year and 936 for over four years.
The statistics were last updated on March 25 last.
The outpatient waiting list at Galway University Hospital stands at 55,075.
The minister stated: "It 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 March 23 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.
"A sum of €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for access to care, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30 million 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."