University Hospital Limerick waiting lists continues to decrease
UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick have reduced the number of patients waiting for an outpatient (OPD) appointment by 33% in the last year, from 43,437 to 28,971.
New hospital waiting list figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) show, as of the end of June, that targeted activity under the Waiting List Action Plan is running ahead of target.
St John's Hospital have reduced the number of patients waiting over 12 months for a colonoscopy or gastroscopy (OGD) appointment by 100% in the last year, from 133 to 0.
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital have reduced the number of patients waiting for endoscopy (IPDC) procedures by 24% in the last year, from 442 to 334.
The National Treatment Purchase Fund figures also show that, in common with health services across Europe, there continues to be significantly higher additions to waiting lists than projected.
The HSE attributes higher than anticipated additions to waiting lists to several factors, including post-pandemic pent-up demand.
The total number of patients removed from the OPD, IPDC and GI Scope waiting lists during the first five months of 2023 was 28,000 (4%) higher than target, while additions to waiting lists were 52,000 (8%) higher than projected.