Menu
07/03/2002
Hospital waiting lists stand at highest recorded level
The number of people waiting to be admitted to hospital is at the highest level ever recorded, according to figures produced by the Department of Health.
The figures released on Thursday 7 March showed that waiting lists for the three months ending December 2001 stood at nearly 58,000 - and had climbed to the highest level recorded since 1996.
Last March Ms de Brún pledged that she would have waiting lists down to 48,000. However, comparing waiting levels at the end of December 2000, which stood at 50,416, the report shows a year-on increase of 14.5 per cent.
The Minister has admitted in view of the figures the department is unable to meet their own targets to reduce waiting times. The Minister also predicted that, at best, this level would remain the same for the next year.
Ms de Brún pledged to continue her fight to reduce waiting lists, but added that action on increasing efficiency and improving effectiveness in hospital services had to continue until these numbers are reduced.
Figures also show that the numbers of those waiting to be admitted during the October-December 2001 period was highest in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB) area. This would include the borough council areas of Ards, Belfast, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn and North Down, where 22,791 people were awaiting hospital admission. This compared with 5,156 people in the Western Health Board area for the same period.
The number of people who have been waiting in excess of patients' charter standards has also got worse. There are now 8,300 people who have been waiting more than 12 months for heart surgery or 18 months in other specialities.
However, Ms de Brún welcomed the news that that the number of people in the outpatients' queue has dipped by nearly 3,000 to just over 130,000.
SDLP health spokesperson Annie Courtney expressed alarm at the waiting figures and called for "clear urgent action" to deal with problem: “The situation at present simply is not good enough. In some hospitals people are waiting up to six months for endoscopies and other essential surgical procedures. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better.”
(AMcE)
The figures released on Thursday 7 March showed that waiting lists for the three months ending December 2001 stood at nearly 58,000 - and had climbed to the highest level recorded since 1996.
Last March Ms de Brún pledged that she would have waiting lists down to 48,000. However, comparing waiting levels at the end of December 2000, which stood at 50,416, the report shows a year-on increase of 14.5 per cent.
The Minister has admitted in view of the figures the department is unable to meet their own targets to reduce waiting times. The Minister also predicted that, at best, this level would remain the same for the next year.
Ms de Brún pledged to continue her fight to reduce waiting lists, but added that action on increasing efficiency and improving effectiveness in hospital services had to continue until these numbers are reduced.
Figures also show that the numbers of those waiting to be admitted during the October-December 2001 period was highest in the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB) area. This would include the borough council areas of Ards, Belfast, Castlereagh, Down, Lisburn and North Down, where 22,791 people were awaiting hospital admission. This compared with 5,156 people in the Western Health Board area for the same period.
The number of people who have been waiting in excess of patients' charter standards has also got worse. There are now 8,300 people who have been waiting more than 12 months for heart surgery or 18 months in other specialities.
However, Ms de Brún welcomed the news that that the number of people in the outpatients' queue has dipped by nearly 3,000 to just over 130,000.
SDLP health spokesperson Annie Courtney expressed alarm at the waiting figures and called for "clear urgent action" to deal with problem: “The situation at present simply is not good enough. In some hospitals people are waiting up to six months for endoscopies and other essential surgical procedures. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better.”
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 December 2003
Hospital inpatient waiting lists continue to fall
Hospital inpatient waiting lists are now at their lowest since March 2001 and have fallen by 10% over the past twelve months, it was revealed today.
Hospital inpatient waiting lists continue to fall
Hospital inpatient waiting lists are now at their lowest since March 2001 and have fallen by 10% over the past twelve months, it was revealed today.
02 March 2006
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
03 June 2021
Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
NI's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is urging the Finance Minister to bring forward funding options to help with the current crisis in hospital waiting lists. The SDLP Minister is to propose that the Finance Minister bring forward options for funding a response to the current hospital waiting list crisis.
Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
NI's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is urging the Finance Minister to bring forward funding options to help with the current crisis in hospital waiting lists. The SDLP Minister is to propose that the Finance Minister bring forward options for funding a response to the current hospital waiting list crisis.
22 July 2015
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
05 December 2002
Rise in hospital waiting lists 'disappointing' says Browne
Hospital waiting lists have risen by almost 3,500 in the past year – leaving Northern Ireland trailing behind its UK counterparts – according to statistics contained in the health department's quarterly review of waiting lists.
Rise in hospital waiting lists 'disappointing' says Browne
Hospital waiting lists have risen by almost 3,500 in the past year – leaving Northern Ireland trailing behind its UK counterparts – according to statistics contained in the health department's quarterly review of waiting lists.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
