Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Department of Health

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for outpatient rheumatology appointments; the number of adults and children waiting, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17825/18]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for children and adults, respectively, for rheumatology appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/18]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.

Reducing waiting times for hospital procedures is a key priority of this Government. On 12 April 2018, the Minister launched the Inpatient/Day Case Action Plan 2018. This plan was compiled by the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

As part of the plan, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital operations or procedures and the NTPF will deliver 20,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments. Under the plan, there will be a significant reduction in the overall number of people waiting for a procedure. The target is that the waiting list numbers will fall to 70,000 by the end of the year, from a peak of 86,100 in July 2017.

I am aware that there are challenges in meeting the growing demand for rheumatology services, and that the Health Service Executive is working towards improving access to such services. In relation to rheumatology service provision, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

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