6,000 on waiting list for outpatient appointments at Navan Hospital

Over 6,000 people are waiting for an outpatient appointment at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan according to statistics revealed to Meath West TD Shane Cassells.

The data was provided to Deputy Cassells following a parliamentary question to the Minister of Health Simon Harris in the Dáil last week.
Additionally it has also been revealed that 2,790 bed days were lost so far this year in Our Lady’s Hospital due to delayed discharges.
Deputy Cassells had asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the tripling in the number of outpatients waiting a year plus since September 2016 for an appointment in Navan Hospital.
In response Minister Harris stated that “outpatient waiting list figures for the end of September show that there were just over 6,000 patients waiting for a first appointment in Navan Hospital and of these, over 72% are waiting 12 months or less.”
Deputy Cassells criticised the tripling of numbers on the outpatient waiting list and stated that more immediate action was required.
“My constituency office is inundated with people who are seeking appointments and to see a tripling of numbers in our local hospital is extremely worrying,” remarked Deputy Cassells.
In respect of the 2,790 bed days lost this year due to delayed discharges he said that “to lose that amount when so many are presenting for treatment in the Emergency Departments is indefensible.”
“Whether you view if from a patient perspective or from that of resources it’s a major challenge for the health system. To lose an average of 350 bed days a month in Navan is just not good enough,” slammed the Meath West TD.
“Delayed discharges have a proportional impact on the number of people lying on trolleys in our Emergency Departments.
“If beds are being used by patient who should be cared for in another facility, there won’t be the capacity needed to deal with surges in Emergency Departments.
“A key factor here, of course, is the inadequacy of step-down facilities and home care. It is very clear that this problem will continue unless significant investment is needed.”
In his reply to Deputy Cassells the Minister also said “Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) has engaged in a number of initiatives to address long waiting lists throughout the wider hospital group. IEHG advises that at present 73% of all patients are offered an outpatient appointment within one year of referral.”