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SEHB inpatient waiting lists down
over 30 per cent
The
South Eastern Health Board has reported a 31.8 per cent reduction in its
inpatient waiting list from the end of 2000 to the end of September 2001. The
total inpatient waiting list figure on the 31st December 2000
was 2,024. This figure had reduced to 1,382 by the 30th
September 2001. The
success of the Waiting List Initiative is demonstrated in the following
table, which outlines the numbers on the inpatient waiting list for target
specialties:
“We
are very happy with these figures,” according to Peter Finnegan,
Regional Manager, South Eastern Health Board. “The objective of the
Waiting List Initiative is to achieve reductions in the numbers waiting
and the waiting times. Credit is due to the staff engaged in the
initiative who continue to achieve targets in spite of the ever-increasing
number of medical emergency admissions.” Last
December, the Department of Health and Children pledged IR£1.75 million
for the initiative. A further £800,000 incentive funding was allocated
during the year based on performance in the first half of the year. This
allocation was used to fund additional theatre sessions, day surgery,
outpatient clinics and equipment. An
allocation of €2.030 million has been approved for the Waiting List
Initiative for 2002. The specialties targeted in 2002 will include Ear,
Nose and Throat (ENT), General Surgery, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology and
Orthopaedics. “Our
specific focus in 2002 will continue to be on waiting times and the
validation of waiting times,” said Peter Finnegan. “We will also be
focusing on the centralising of referrals for Orthopaedic and ENT
specialties, the provision of Pre-operative Assessment Units in each acute
hospital, the maximising of theatre and bed capacity in each of the acute
hospitals, maximising the utilisation of day case facilities and the
provision of additional hostel and short-term accommodation.” Mr.
Finnegan said the South Eastern Health Board would continue to work
towards reducing the inpatient waiting lists further to meet the targets
set out in the recently published Health Strategy.
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