The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says there are now over 3,300 fewer people waiting for an outpatient appointment at the two main hospitals in the city than at the end of 2022.
Included in the progress across Cork:
- 2,300 (6%) reduction in the overall outpatient waiting list at Cork University Hospital (CUH).
- Over 4,000 waiting longer than 12 months (30% reduction) removed from outpatient lists at CUH.
- 400 people waiting longer than five months for an outpatient appointment (gynaecology) at Cork University Maternity Hospital were treated (92% reduction).
- 55% reduction (1,330 patients) waiting longer than 12 months for an outpatient appointment at Mercy University Hospital.
- 15% reduction (1,000 patients) on the outpatient list at Mercy University Hospital.
- Reduction of over 1,300 patients waiting over 12 months for an outpatient appointment at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital – a 15% reduction.
- GI Scopes waiting list at South Infirmary almost halved (49% reduction = 200 patients)
Minister Donnelly said:
“Throughout 2023 we’ve been tackling waiting lists hospital by hospital and specialty by specialty. Thanks to the enormous efforts of our healthcare workers in hospitals in Cork, we have fewer patients waiting now than we did a year ago. 2023 was the second year in a row that we achieved this progress and I’m determined that fewer patients again will be waiting in Cork at the end of 2024.”
Nationally, the 10% reduction target in the number of patients waiting longer than 10/12 weeks was exceeded in 2023, with an 11% reduction, equating to 57,000 patients.
