WAITING LISTS for health services in Northern Ireland have been dramatically cut while trolley waits have been all but abolished, the Minister for Health has said.
Michael McGimpsey quoted statistics showing significant improvements in service delivery and praised health service staff.
The number of people waiting 13 weeks for a first outpatient appointment fell from 22,215 last year to 55 at the end of March. The number waiting more than 21 weeks for surgery, including day procedures, fell from 1,982 to 56.
Statistics for diagnostic tests, such as an MRI scan, showed that 7,649 had waited more than 13 weeks in the year to June 2007. This has been reduced to zero. Also cut to zero was the list of 3,545 patients who were waiting for six months to see health professionals such as physiotherapists.
Mr McGimpsey said that in April 2007, 81 per cent of A&E patients were seen within four hours. By March 2008 this had increased to 92 per cent.
"The improvement in A&E performance is perhaps the most remarkable - without any major new money, we have all but eliminated long trolley waits. This is a significant achievement which shows the real benefits of teams in trusts working with focus, sharing improved practice and co-operative working."
The Minister said the majority of most targets, including for recruiting foster carers, had already been met.