Human cost of health waiting lists 'very real and very urgent'

The human cost of health service waiting lists is “very real and very urgent”, says Sorca Clarke, TD.

Pointing out that waiting lists have spiralled out of control for too long, and more than 8,992 people are waiting for outpatient appointments in Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar (MRHM), she said: “The current waiting list for a physiotherapy outpatient appointment in MRHM has 1160 names on it, and on the pelvic health outpatient list a further 73 women are awaiting an appointment.

The SF TD for Longford Westmeath said that behind record waiting times are stories of pain, worsening conditions, delayed diagnosis and treatment, stress, and worry.

She insisted that the hospital waiting list crisis can be fixed, and said she was frustrated at government inaction.

She wants the government to sort out the management of waiting lists, to introduce new, centralised referral systems and an integrated waiting list management system.

“We also need a major increase in beds, staff, and diagnostic capacity to meet current needs and tackle waiting lists,” she said.

“Care can’t wait and waiting lists are having a catastrophic effect on people – they feel abandoned on them and have little hope of getting the care to which they are entitled.

“They are also creating problems for people who receive late diagnoses or who developed a condition but cannot find out due to diagnostic waiting lists.$

Deputy Clarke maintained that Sinn Féin in government would deliver a healthcare system that would deliver the timely, high quality care that patients need.

“Change is possible and deliverable if the political will is there,” she said.