Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is always a matter of concern and a topical debate. Since the special delivery unit was initiated in July 2011, significant progress has been made in a range of areas resulting in reducing the number of patients on hospital trolleys and on waiting lists. By the end of last year there was a 98% decrease in patient day case waiting lists over nine months, a 95% decrease for children waiting 20 weeks and a 99% decrease for routine endoscopes more than 13 weeks over the year. For a number of reasons, the early months of the year have always brought exceptional pressure on these lists, not the least of which was referred to by the Minister, after some analysis, that this was due to a failure to provide cover when people are away on holidays. The Minister for Health set a target to eliminate the waiting list for all inpatients over eight months by the end of this year. As a result, the increase in 2013 was certainly much greater than expected, with a 16% increase in total numbers waiting between December 2012 and December 2013. However, through the sustained intervention of the special delivery unit this trend is now reversed with a 5% reduction in total numbers waiting and a 42% reduction in the numbers waiting more than eight months since the end of July 2013. As of 21 November 2013, 3,393 people are waiting more than eight months.

A range of responses are being taken, such as using an €18 million intervention fund to meet the targets; developing and monitoring a number of special plans with hospitals where the elective waiting lists are under pressure; identifying increased capacity and capability across hospital groups - some surgeons and consultants tell me they have got spare capacity in their hospitals and said they can take some off the long waiting lists; increased operating theatre lists; a national analysis of risks impacted on hospitals; speciality level performance and so on. The electronic data collection commenced in March 2013. Material provided by the HSE indicates that between 28 March 2013 and 21 November 2013, there was a 5% reduction in total numbers waiting, a 41% reduction in numbers waiting more than 12 months, a 34% reduction in numbers waiting between 12 and 24 months, a 40% reduction in numbers waiting between 24 and 36 months, a 56% reduction in numbers waiting between 36 and 48 months and an 87% reduction in numbers waiting 48 months plus. The direction given by the Minister was to deal as a priority with the cases that are waiting longest. The Deputy may shake his head. If he wants to dispute the evidence, he may do so, but this is the electronic data collection commenced by the Minister in March 2013. If it is wrong, please prove it.

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