Hospital implementing waiting list programme
By Mary Dennehy
TALLAGHT University Hospital is implementing an outpatient waiting list improvement programme to address the number of patients waiting more than 18 months for specialities.
According to figures released by the HSE, some 6,122 outpatients were in September of this year waiting more than 18 months for just seven of the 25 specialities provided by Tallaght University Hospital (TUH).
Tallaght University Hospital is implementing an outpatient waiting list programme
These seven specialities, which account for 97 per cent of adult ‘long waiters’, include Neurology, ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat), Elective Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Surgery, Neurology, Dermatology and Rheumatology.
As of September, the lists with the highest number of patients waiting more than 18 months were Adult ENT (1,363), Adult Urology (1,359) and Adult Neurology (1,322).
According to a report provided at the Joint Committee Meeting of the Regional Health Forum Dublin-Mid Leinster, the growing demand of an aging population was identified as a “key driver” in the growth of long waiting times.
Focusing on Tallaght alone, the report highlights how the area’s older population grew by 47 per cent between 2011 and 2016 (Census).
It is estimated that in the next 18 years, Tallaght’s older population will have grown by 320 per cent.
According to the report provided by the HSE: “This will put continued strain on outpatient resources and also requires a change in outpatient and primary care delivery models.”
The report also noted that TUH’s consultant numbers per person in the catchment area is “low” in key specialties compared to other hospitals and international norms.
Consultants were recently recruited for elective orthopaedics, ENT and neurology, with further recruitment to dermatology and urology being sought from the HSE.
The hospital is also working towards addressing waiting times through its new SIMMS building in Tallaght Cross, which will see more than 12,000 outpatients access hospital services within a community service.
More efficiently run clinics
As reported on by The Echo last month, the new facility will result in patients benefiting from “more efficiently run clinics” in an enhanced environment.
TUH has also implemented a ‘systematic validation process’ to ensure waiting list entries are valid and up-to-date, and is focusing on the creation of new services and clinics that could be GP-led.
According to the report, provided in response to a question on TUH waiting lists by councillor Charlie O’Connor (Fianna Fail): “The [waiting list improvement] programme has successfully ceased long waiter growth for the last four months and prevented further growth of 5,000 patients.
“The aim of the programme is to reverse these trends in the coming months and sustain a downward trajectory.
“The aim is to have 2,000 less patients waiting more than 18 months in 12 months time and for this improvement trend to continue.”
