Wexford Hospital waiting list figures soar

THERE has been a 119% increase in the number of people waiting for appointments at Wexford General Hospital since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Fianna Fáil TD James Browne said the latest in-patient waiting list figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) clearly illustrates that everyday healthcare needs have not gone away.

In February there were 249 people on the in-patient and day case waiting lists at Wexford General Hospital and in April this number rose to 546, a doubling of the figures in just two months.

The Wexford TD said the longer a patient is left waiting for an essential procedure, the higher the possibility that their prognosis could deteriorate, apart from the prolonged and unnecessary pain and discomfort they may be suffering.