Hospital waiting lists increased by 9,000 last month

The number of people on public hospital waiting lists increased by some 9,000 in July, with more than 579,891 people awaiting treatment at the end of the month.

Figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show there were 493,780 people waiting for outpatient appointments last month compared to 484,346 in June.

There were 86,111 waiting for inpatient surgery or day-case procedures in July compared to 86,018 in June.

The number of outpatients waiting for a hospital appointment has grown by some 67,434 since Simon Harris was appointed Minister for Health in June 2016.

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The Government pledged to spend €50 million this year on initiatives to cut waiting lists, but the latest figures show this has yet to have a significant impact, with steady increases since the start of the year.

There were 33,348 waiting on outpatient’s lists for general surgery, with 452 patients waiting 18 months or more.

There were 16,553 children waiting for on outpatient appointment for Temple Street Children’s Hospital compared to 16,444 in June.

Some 23,000 people are waiting for cardiology appointments across the State, with more than 18,000 of these on the outpatient lists. In July, 585 people were waiting for cardiology appointments for 18 months or more.

Last month the Saolta Group of Hospitals, which represents hospitals in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal had 78, 561 people waiting on outpatient appointments compared to 77,592 in June.

Reacting to the figures, Sinn Féin Senator, Trevor O’ Clochartaigh said hospitals in the group are “creaking at the seams, are desperately in need of essential investment and that lives are being put at risk on a daily basis due to insufficient government action.”