'Average waiting time now 3.4 months'

[Posted: Wed 26/03/2008 by Niall Hunter, Editor]

The average waiting time for a patient to get a surgical procedure carried out in a public hospital in Ireland now stands at 3.4 months, according to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

The NTPF, which, in addition to providing treatments for those on waiting lists, also collates list figures, says there have been major improvements in waiting times since it was set up in 2002.

However, while inroads have been made into inpatient waiting lists, outpatient lists remain a problem, with over 140,000 still believed to be on outpatient lists and some people waiting up to eight years to see a consultant in an outpatient clinic. 

An NTPF spokesman told irishhealth.com that prior to the establishment of the NTPF in 2002, the average waiting time for the most common inpatient surgical procedures was between two and five years; whereas now it  between two and five months for the most common procedures.

He said that for all surgical procedures, the average waiting time is now 3.4 months. 

Referring to a HSE figure reported this week  of 42,774 patients currently on inpatient waiting lists , the spokesman said this figure was based on NTPF statistics, but included patients who had been waiting between zero and three months for procedures.

The NTPF claims including the zero to three months waiting time does not give a totally accurate picture of the real numbers on waiting lists,and the HSE has also pointed this out in the context of the 42,774 figure.

However, a report in the Irish Times earlier this week noted that  the HSE has seen an increase recently  in the total number of patients on lists for inpatient treatment.

"The zero to three months period is incredibly fluid, with people coming on and off the lists all the time. It can include patients who have just been informed of a time for their procedure or those who may who may have only recently received their treatment," the NTPF spokesman said.

According to the NTPF, a more accurate figure for the total numbers on waiting lists at present would be around 17,000 on surgical waiting lists and just over 5,000 on medical waiting lists for inpatient care. 

These figures, the spokesman said, would exclude those waiting for treatment for periods of between zero and three months. 

He added that there are currently no official figures produced for outpatient waiting lists. 

Under a pilot project being carried out by the NTPF, 20,000 people on outpatient waiting lists were offered appointments last year, but only 10,500 took up the offer.

The NTPF says reasons for patients not taking up the offer could include that they had since sought a private consultation or that their condition had resolved, or was no longer considered a problem.

The NTPF also claims that some people may be on placed on outpatient lists  for 'peace of mind' and may not , on review, actually need treatment.  Some patients too, would be deceased.

While it is known that many patients are on outpatient waiting lists for a number of years, often with serious conditions, no official figures for these lists have beneprpduced by the HSE since its establishment in January 2005.

The HSE has said it is still undertaking a verification process in order to get accurate numbers for outpatient lists.

It was reported earlier this year that there are at least 139,000 on outpatient lists at present, with some patients waiting up to eight years for an appointment.

Outpatient waiting times are known to be particularly long in some specialties, including rheumatology, dermatology and urology. 

hammer  Posted: 26/03/2008 13:41

Even if there were 1 million on waiting lists NOTHING would be done. The HSE budget given to them by the DOH / DofFiance is inadequate to pay HSE administration/salaries and the balance for front line services. It should be the other way around !!!

t  Posted: 26/03/2008 15:20

" the HSE has said it is still undertaking a verification process in order to get accurate numbers for outpatient lists" could they NOT JUST COUNT THEM!!!!!!!!!!

hammer  Posted: 26/03/2008 17:44

They haven`t got a calculator that works. The ONE they have just spits out spin rather than accurate figures !!

t  Posted: 26/03/2008 21:08

do they not use a state of the art abacus from a centre of excellence in arthrimetic???????

anonymous  Posted: 27/03/2008 11:40

At what price and how long will they pump money into this scheme which hands over the money to vested interests and profit makers? Many of these routine procedures could be carried out in public hospitals at a cheaper rate and it would help pay for the wages of the nursing staff, which should be in those hospitals in the first place but cannot be hired bacause of a recruitment freeze. In other words the NTPF is helping to keep private hospitals in the money while neglecting the public system.

hammer  Posted: 27/03/2008 16:23

Anonymous, CORRECT. Just to let you know medical insurance is about 4 times what it is in Ireland at the moment. And Mary Harney went where recently on a fact minding mission and incorporated the Super Bowl into her journey. Politicians don`t give a toss. They get paid in a boom or in a recession. In fact they postponed an increase they believe is rightly theres this year when they will go to the national pay talks next month offering a 1.5% increase !!! Protest Saturday 3pm

nk  Posted: 27/03/2008 22:20

Thank u for clarity, I did wonder when it would become clear that the NTPF is lining the pockets of the fat cat's, thankfully at least some of the patients are getting some of the benefit. However it doesn't alter the fact that the private health service providers are becoming entrenched in our country's health system at the behest of our present government, and sadly the general population is either blind or chooses to keep their eyes wide shut' Wake up out there the patient's of Ireland u might be needing that bed any day now.

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