Blanchardstown closes urology clinic to routine appointments

The urology clinic at James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown has been closed for non-emergency appointments after its waiting list exceeded two years, it has emerged.

In a statement to The Irish Times, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that routine urology cases were no longer being accepted at the hospital.

The HSE said the clinic was staffed by one consultant urologist and that a funding request had been submitted for a second consultant to "address the long waiting times for routine urology appointments at Connolly Hospital".

The HSE was unable to say when this appointment would be made.

The waiting list at James Connolly Hospital is understood to be among the longest in the health service.

The HSE added that "all emergency and follow-up outpatient services" were being provided at James Connolly Memorial.

It is understood that many non-emergency urology patients from the Dublin 15 area are now being referred to the Mater Hospital, placing pressure on its urology services.

Thomas Lynch, a consultant urologist at Tallaght Hospital, said it was well known "we don't have enough urologists in this country. The waiting lists for the vast majority of cancers are unacceptable."

Mr Lynch, who also advises the Irish Cancer Society on men's cancers, said Ireland had one of the lowest ratios of consultant urologists in Europe at one per 140,000 people.

Mr Lynch said at least 18 additional urologists were required to bring Ireland up to European norms.

An Irish Cancer Society (ICS) spokeswoman said it planned to write to all urologists this week asking for details of waiting lists at their hospitals to get a national picture of urology services. "It is important that we get an accurate picture of what is happening."

There are currently 27 consultant urologists. A Comhairle na nOspidéal Report on Urology Services published last year recommended a ratio of one consultant urologist to 100,000 population which would require 18 additional posts giving an overall total of 45.

The ICS spokeswoman said that improving Ireland's urology services was particularly urgent in light of an anticipated 275 per cent increase in the number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed by 2020, as a result of improved screening. Last year approximately 1,370 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer.

Last October the ICS wrote to the HSE to express its concern at the shortage of urology services.