|
|
Donegal outpatients are being
failed - TD
27.11.14
HUNDREDS of Donegal
patients are being failed by the HSE 2013 Outpatient
Waiting List Initiative, an Inishowen T.D., has
claimed.
The scheme, which sees public patients treated in
private hospitals, was set up to alleviate waiting
times. But Deputy Charlie McConalogue said the
project is "failing miserably".
Figures released to him by the HSE reveal that at
the end of 2013, Letterkenny General Hospital
outsourced the treatment of 2,722 patients under the
programme. 919 of these patients were seen and
discharged back to GP care with no further
intervention required, 300 patients underwent
diagnostic investigation and 190 children have had
surgery under the scheme. |
 |
|
Letterkenny General Hospital. |
However one year on,
more than 1,313 patients who were outsourced are
still waiting on follow-up treatment; 653 patients
require diagnostic intervention and are awaiting
further tests to be scheduled by the treating
hospitals; 523 are waiting for surgery and 110
patients require further outpatient review.
“The HSE has confirmed that out of 550 patients who
were outsourced to a private hospital and who were
approved for surgery, only 27 have had their
operations carried out. The 523 surgery patients
together with the 110 patients requiring further
outpatient review are in limbo as they are not on a
confirmed list at any hospital. They’re being forced
to wait for a referral to the private sector or
return to the Saolta University Health Care Group
(formerly West/North West Hospital Group)," said
Deputy McConalogue.
“What is the Minister’s plan for these patients?
Will they have their surgery performed before the
end of the year under the original consultant they
were referred to as part of the 2013 Outpatient
Waiting List Initiative?
"All of these patients have been waiting well over
the eight-month target for their procedures and it
is only right that they should be treated
immediately." |
|
