SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN CANCELLED OPERATIONS WELCOMED - KENNY

Posted on March 5, 2013 3:20 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour T.D., Seán Kenny, has welcomed the substantial reduction in the number of cancelled operations since the establishment of the Special Delivery Unit in hospitals.

"The number of patients waiting for treatment in Beaumont Hospital has been reduced by almost 36% between 2010 and 2012, which is a vast improvement. I want to pay tribute to the staff of Beaumont Hospital, and of hospitals across the country, who have been working very hard despite the difficult conditions in the Health Service. Their dedication to the patients under their care is exceptional and rather inspirational.

"Waiting lists are being reduced in hospitals nationally. The number of patients waiting for more than a year for an inpatient procedure is at its lowest level since records began, as is the number of patients waiting more than a year for day case surgery or routine endoscopies.

"There are now 18% fewer people waiting more than 3 months for a procedure than there were in 2011. 1,759 children were waiting over 20 weeks for inpatient or day case surgery at the end of 2011. By the end of 2012, this waiting list had fallen to 89 children - a 95% reduction in a single year.

"At the end of 2011, 3,706 adults were waiting more than 9 months for inpatient and day case surgery. Within a year, this had fallen to 86 adults - a 98% reduction. There were 4,590 patients waiting over 13 weeks for a routine endoscopy procedure at the end of 2011. By the end of 2012, this had fallen to 36 patients - a 99% reduction. A target has been set for the first time for a maximum waiting period of 12 months for a first time outpatient appointment. This target should be achieved by the end of November."