Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients on the outpatients waiting lists at Kerry General Hospital; the way these figures compare to the previous three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The most recent figures available (21 December 2012) for Kerry General Hospital are enclosed in the following table.

In relation to the comparison with the previous three years, I am advised that the Outpatient Data Quality Programme was established to address a number of data collection issues, including the absence of a standardised definition of waiting lists and waiting time, and to provide standardised, carefully defined data in relation to all aspects of the patient journey through Outpatients. In regard to the figures for the three years prior to 2012, I am advised that outpatient data gathered prior to 1 January 2011 and the inception of the Outpatient Data Quality Programme cannot therefore be compared to the current data, while reporting of outpatient data was discontinued during 2011 to allow for the changeover. Improving access to outpatient services is a key priority for the Government. Building on the work done by the HSE, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has now taken over the reporting of outpatient waiting time data. The collation and analysis of outpatient waiting time data in a standardised format will reveal the distribution of long waiters across all hospitals. In the first instance, this will allow the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to target their resources towards those patients who are waiting longest and ensure that they are seen and assessed.A maximum waiting time target has now been set of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment by 30 November 2013. In parallel with reducing the numbers of longest waiters, the SDU will also work with the HSE Clinical Programmes to reform the structure, organisation and delivery of outpatient services to ensure that the right patient is seen and assessed by the right health professional at the right time.