Hospital waiting lists make for ‘depressing’ reading

The current length of hospital waiting lists in Louth make for ‘depressing reading’ according to local TD Declan Breathnach, who called for more action on the issue.

‘ The current state of affairs cannot be permitted to continue. In Louth the latest figures on waiting lists makes for depressing reading.

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital has 1,064 waiting for inpatient services or surgeries with over 200 of those waiting for more than a year and 18 of them waiting more than a year and a half.’

He highlighted that in the Louth County Hospital alone there are 669 people currently on the waiting list for inpatient services.

‘For outpatient services there are 13,061 people on the waiting list at Our Lady of Lourdes across all specialities and 3,088 at Louth County.’

The Louth TD said that the Cross Border Healthcare Directive, for public patients, should be advertised more to those who wait for long periods.

‘While I am aware that this would not suit everyone as the patient has to pay for the procedure upfront and apply for reimbursement afterwards, and also that the Directive only covers medical costs and hospital costs and not the cost of travel and other ancillary costs. When asked about this in February this year the Minister replied that all hospitals were provided by the HSE with text on the Directive to be included in waiting list correspondence.’

He added:’ This has not been my experience as I have brought it to the attention of many people who had been waiting a long time for procedures and they said that they were never told about this.’

‘In relation to the waiting lists I feel that it’s the not knowing that is frustrating. I think if people were told, say for a non-urgent procedure that they will be seen in 12 months or even 18 months, just having a set date would be a comfort.’