Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the House on this important matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly.

I acknowledge the important service Bantry General Hospital provides to a large and unique geographical area, from the peninsulas in the south west to Clonakilty and Timoleague in the east. Bantry General Hospital has received a substantial allocation of €23.7 million in 2023, an increase of 19.6% since 2019. I am pleased to advise that investment in the endoscopy unit at the hospital is included in the health capital plan of 2023. The unit has gone through the tender process, and construction commenced in January of this year. The South/Southwest Hospital Group has advised that the building stage is progressing and that there are no foreseen delays in delivering this important project. It is expected that it will be completed in June 2024.

I am delighted to confirm that waiting lists for endoscopy services at Bantry General Hospital are reducing and that more people are getting the treatment they need. The National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, has approved insourcing endoscopy initiatives for funding for Bantry General Hospital, which will facilitate treatment for 426 gastrointestinal scope procedures. The latest NTPF figures show the impact of these and other measures. There are currently 311 patients on the Bantry General Hospital gastrointestinal scopes waiting list, representing a reduction of 13%, or 48 people, by comparison with the same period last year. Indeed, the figures for 2023 look even more hopeful, with the gastrointestinal scopes waiting list having decreased by 18%, or 69 people, in the year to date. I commend the effort of Bantry General Hospital, which, due to the hard work and determination of all its staff, has achieved these results.

This Government is committed to continuing to improve access to care. On 7 March, we published 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the latest stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably reducing and reforming hospital waiting lists. For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle waiting lists, including endoscopy waiting lists at Bantry General Hospital. This funding will reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023, as well as continue to significantly reduce waiting times in line with the Sláintecare recommendations.

The new endoscopy unit is further evidence of the Government's commitment to Bantry General Hospital, the people of west Cork and south Kerry, and the South/Southwest Hospital Group in providing the right care in the right place at the right time.