New figures show that waiting list figures have soared at University Hospital Limerick.
New figures show that waiting list figures have soared at University Hospital Limerick.
At the end of 2015, eleven patients were waiting at least 18 months for an appointment.
At the end of 2016, that figure now stands at over 1,500.
1,517 people are waiting at least 18 months for an outpatient appointment at University Hospital Limerick, as of the end of 2016.
A year earlier, that number was just 11.
Figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund show these people are waiting for appointments to deal with gynaecological, respitory and facial issues.
There's also an increase in outpatient waiting times at Ennis – 357 people are now waiting at least a year for an appointment there, up 155% year-on-year.
There are issues facing those waiting inpatient or day case appointments also with the total number of people now waiting at least a year growing by over 400.
In a statement to Clare FM, the UL Hospitals Group says it met waiting list targets for day case and inpatients last year, and that the number of outpatient attendances grew by over 2%.
The growth in demand, coupled with an increase of urgent referrals in some specialities and a shortage of consultants in other areas is blamed for the increase.
