Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the substantial increase between December 2015 and May 2016 in the number of outpatients waiting more than one year for a consultation in University Hospital Limerick. [20983/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A key challenge for our health system is to ensure timely access to health services. This Government recognises that a sustained commitment to improving waiting times is required with a particular focus on those waiting longest. While waiting list numbers nationally have increased in the first half of the year, this must be seen in the context of increased demand for care in our health system. There has been a 4% increase in in-patient and day-case activity in acute hospitals and an almost 6% increase in attendances at EDs in comparison with last year. The key issue for patients is how long they wait. Approximately 60% of patients wait less than 6 months for a required outpatient appointment or inpatient/day-case procedure.

Regarding 2016, my Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to finalise a dedicated waiting list initiative focussed on endoscopy. In addition, my Department has asked the HSE to implement an action plan to address waiting times with hospitals and Hospital Groups. This will focus on improving chronological scheduling, clinical and administrative validation of lists and optimising existing capacity.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to €15m funding for the NTPF in 2017 to address waiting lists for those waiting longest, as part of a continued investment of €50m per year to reduce waiting times. My Department is currently engaging with the NTPF and the HSE to deliver on the Programme's waiting list commitments.

I am advised that University Hospital Limerick has seen an increase of 20.6 % in the number of patients waiting greater than 12 months in the period December 2015 to May 2016. However, I am assured that the University of Limerick Hospitals Group is maximising all available capacity across the Group and additional internal capacity is being provided for particular specialties. In addition, waiting lists are currently being validated in order to ensure accuracy.