Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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487. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at University Hospital Galway, by outpatients and inpatients; the number of years on waiting list and age profile; the longest length of time a patient has been on the waiting list; the steps he plans to take to deal with the inordinately long waiting times for pain relief in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42899/20]

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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488. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for pain relief treatment at each hospital; the average length of time spent on the waiting list in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42900/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

Patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) is currently reviewing strategies to maximise activity and benefit for patients, to include, increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, funding hybrid services where public and private hospitals contribute to the treatment of patients, virtual clinics and clinical validation.

The NTPF have advised my Department that they have also approved 14 initiatives (10 IPDC & 4 OPD) for funding for Pain Relief so far in 2020, which will facilitate treatment for over 1,500 patients on Pain Relief waiting lists throughout the country. Of the 14 initiatives the NTPF have approved, 1 IPDC Pain Relief initiative and 1 OPD Pain Relief initiative relate specifically to Galway University Hospital facilitating treatment for 98 patients.

The information requested by the Deputy concerning the pain relief waiting list at each hospital is outlined at:

The information provided shows the wait times for IPDC & OPD by hospital and includes the average number of days on the waiting list.

It should be noted that Outpatient appointments for pain clinics at Galway University hospital are listed under "Anaesthetics" rather than "Pain Clinic ". Waiting list figures there show 1,428 patients on the outpatient waiting list for anaesthetics at Galway University Hospital, however it is important to note that this data does not differentiate pain clinic patients from other patients on the anaesthetic waiting list.

Galway University Hospital does maintain an inpatient pain relief waiting list which is attached for information. The NTPF have advised that the longest length of time a patient has spent on the IPDC pain relief waiting list at Galway University Hospital is 863 days.

IP Pain Relief Waiters as of 26/11/2020