Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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753. To ask the Minister for Health the reason urology appointments in UHG have a waiting time of two years; the steps he will take to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36004/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that Outpatient waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

The latest NTPF figures show that 57% of patients are waiting 12 months or less for a Urology Outpatient appointment in University Hospital Galway.

Each year 3.3 million patients attend Hospital Outpatient clinics for appointments, with demand for services growing year-on-year. A key component of the management of waiting lists by hospitals is the categorisation of patients by clinical priority to ensure that all patients receive care in a timely and clinically appropriate matter.

Earlier this year, I approved the establishment of a Central Waiting List Validation function in the NTPF. The new office will consolidate and centralise validation activity for all Inpatient/Daycase and Outpatient waiting lists, thus ensuring a standardisation of approach across all waiting lists and all hospitals.

In addition, the HSE is working with the NTPF and my Department to finalise the Outpatient Action Plan for 2018. This plan will support the HSE’s compliance with their National Service Plan targets, reduce the growth in the number of patients waiting for outpatient services, improve the accuracy of the waiting list, and trial a number of NTPF funded interventions, including weekend and out of hours clinics.

In relation to urology appointments in UHG, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.