FYI - Latest press release on waiting figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland. As indicated there are continuing concerns over those waiting more than 12 months in general and for outpatient appointments in particular
See also BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4203830.stm
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
MINISTER ANNOUNCES LATEST HOSPITAL WAITING LIST FIGURES
Health Minister Shaun Woodward said the latest waiting list figures confirm the need for his programme of reform. Speaking after the publication of today's waiting list figures, which cover the period to the end of June, the Minister said: "These figures demonstrate why the announcement I made at the
beginning of July to reform inpatient and daycase waiting lists was desperately needed. "We should of course be pleased that 95% of inpatients/daycases and outpatients were seen in less than 12 months in the quarter to June 2005. However, these latest figures again demonstrate why it was essential at the beginning of July to introduce the alternative offer programme to end the intolerable misery facing patients waiting more than 12 months.
"They also demonstrate why every Trust in Northern Ireland is committed to meeting the target to have nobody waiting more than 12
months for inpatient or daycase treatment by March 2006. "In order to maintain momentum, I am immediately implementing Dr Appleby's recommendation requiring every Trust to establish weekly arrangements for monitoring waiting lists. Where Trust performance
falls short of what is required, patients will receive an alternative offer of treatment from the newly established Northern Ireland Patient Offer
Centre."
The latest waiting list figures show a small reduction in the total numbers waiting for inpatient and daycase treatment compared to March 2005. The
number of patients waiting more than 12 months has also decreased slightly, although the number of patients waiting over 18 months has increased.
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has continued to increase, by 9,385 to 176,523.
Commenting on the outpatient figures, the Minister said:"Clearly the increase in the number of outpatients waiting is a significant cause for concern to my Department. Although we have seen a considerable increase in the numbers treated over the last quarter, the health service should be able to cope with such increases in demand. Therefore later this year I will be announcing detailed proposals to tackle this problem and monitor progress in securing reductions in waiting times for these services."
1. Key facts from today's announcement of waiting list figures for the quarter ended June 2005 include:
* The total number of patients waiting for inpatient or daycase treatment has decreased by 98 (-0.2%) over the quarter to 47,425, a reduction of 3,550 (-7.0%) over the year.
* The number of patients waiting over 12 months for inpatient or daycase treatment has decreased by 62 (-1.5%) over the quarter and stands at 3,969. This is a reduction of 2,889 (-42.1%) compared to the same quarter last year.
* 878 patients are waiting more than 18 months. This is an increase of 96 (+12.3%) on the previous quarter, and a reduction of 2,352 (-72.8%) compared to the same quarter last year.
* The total number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased by 9,385 (+5.6%) over the quarter to 176,523
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