Menu
25/11/2004
NI hospital waiting lists worst in UK
The number of people waiting for hospital treatment has climbed by more than 40% in the last eight years, a new report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office has revealed.
At present Northern Ireland’s hospital waiting list is 68% higher than in England and, since 1996 local waiting lists have increased by 42%.
Dr Brian Patterson, chairman of the BMA's GPs' Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "I think the report very clearly says what we should do is measure the time from when a GP decides the patient should go to hospital to when they actually get the care they need," he said.
"This is where the camouflaging is going on. There is a huge pool of people who are waiting up to three years to get an opinion from a hospital just to get on a waiting list."
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesman, Rev Martin Smyth, described the situation as “deplorable”.
“Today’s Northern Ireland Audit Office Report confirms what many of us had suspected - waiting queues in the Province’s hospitals are the longest in the UK,” the south Belfast MP said.
The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association also condemned the figures.
Chief Executive Andrew Dougal said: "The Audit Office report shows that Northern Ireland is the worst place in the UK to live when waiting for in-patient treatment in hospital.
"We were horrified to discover that five patients in Northern Ireland had to wait more than a year for cardiac surgery, while in England and Wales nobody had to wait 12 months."
A Department of Health spokesman said despite today’s figures substantial progress had been made in recent years to improve the management of waiting lists.
"Between September 2002 and June 2004 the number of total waiters reduced by over 15%, and the number of patients waiting longer than 18 months reduced by almost 65%," said the spokesman.
(MB)
At present Northern Ireland’s hospital waiting list is 68% higher than in England and, since 1996 local waiting lists have increased by 42%.
Dr Brian Patterson, chairman of the BMA's GPs' Committee in Northern Ireland, said: "I think the report very clearly says what we should do is measure the time from when a GP decides the patient should go to hospital to when they actually get the care they need," he said.
"This is where the camouflaging is going on. There is a huge pool of people who are waiting up to three years to get an opinion from a hospital just to get on a waiting list."
Ulster Unionist Health Spokesman, Rev Martin Smyth, described the situation as “deplorable”.
“Today’s Northern Ireland Audit Office Report confirms what many of us had suspected - waiting queues in the Province’s hospitals are the longest in the UK,” the south Belfast MP said.
The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association also condemned the figures.
Chief Executive Andrew Dougal said: "The Audit Office report shows that Northern Ireland is the worst place in the UK to live when waiting for in-patient treatment in hospital.
"We were horrified to discover that five patients in Northern Ireland had to wait more than a year for cardiac surgery, while in England and Wales nobody had to wait 12 months."
A Department of Health spokesman said despite today’s figures substantial progress had been made in recent years to improve the management of waiting lists.
"Between September 2002 and June 2004 the number of total waiters reduced by over 15%, and the number of patients waiting longer than 18 months reduced by almost 65%," said the spokesman.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
02 September 2005
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous 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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
