Over 100,000 people removed from hospital waiting lists in 2023 did not receive treatment

New data analysed by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) shows that around 105,000 people were removed from hospital waiting lists in 2023 without receiving treatment through a National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) 'validation' process.

'This validation involves hospital administration contacting patients on waiting lists to ensure that they are still available to attend appointments or require their procedure.'

'Many patients will have made alternative arrangements due to the length of time on the waiting list or may no longer be suitable for treatment.'

The largest number of removals from the outpatient waiting lists were: Galway University Hospital (11,642), Tallaght University Hospital (10,664), the Mater Hospital (8,565), University Hospital Limerick (7,419), Cork University Hospital (6,063) and CHI at Crumlin (5,128). Together they account for almost half (49,481 or 47%) of all validated removals from the waiting lists without an appointment or treatment. 

'The release of the latest National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures confirm that the three main waiting lists reduced by just over 18,800 (3%) last year – a shortfall of more than 50,000 against target.'

'The waiting list for inpatient and day case procedures increased over the past 12 months by almost 4,200 (5%). While the number awaiting an outpatient appointment fell by around 22,500 (4%), this reduction is offset by record increases in other so-called ‘hidden lists’, such as the 9,500 additional people placed on the Outpatient Suspensions list, which is an increase of 30%.'

'In total over 869,300 people were on some form of hospital waiting list at the end of December – a reduction of just 766 (0.1%) compared with the start of 2023.'

'The Government’s Action Plan for 2023 had set a target to reduce waiting lists for appointments and hospital treatment by 10% (-69,000) compared with the number waiting at the start of 2023. Despite treating significantly more patients than planned last year, the main waiting lists only decreased by a modest 3% due to a higher-than-expected level of patient demand. The inability to accurately forecast this additional demand also contributed to the almost €1 billion supplementary budget for Health last year.'

IHCA President Prof Rob Landers commented on today’s waiting list figures, 'The Government needs to expedite its new €407 million Waiting List Action Plan for 2024 and show more ambition in terms of delivering the additional hospital capacity that is required to meets its reduction targets.'

'The inability to accurately predict the expected levels of patient demand last year stymied the previous Action Plan from the outset. This cannot be repeated in 2024. It is therefore vital that the health service management is agile and open to reviewing its figures and actions throughout the year in order to achieve real and sustainable solutions for patients.'

Landers continued, 'This is without doubt the busiest time of year for our health service, and while we welcome the fact that the number of patients waiting on trolleys in our Emergency Departments is down compared to the first weeks of January last year, we must ensure that as much focus and emphasis is applied to all parts of our public hospital system all the year round.'

'The key solution, of course, is the immediate significant expansion in hospital capacity. In April last year, the Minister for Health’s announcement of a rapid build programme to open 1,500 additional hospital beds across 15 acute public hospital sites in 2023 and 2024 was welcomed. The Government needs to implement that plan immediately and commit the promised €1 billion capital budget to open these beds as indicated.'

'What Consultants want to ascertain on behalf of their patients is when are we going to see these 1,500 additional beds in place, the promised six surgical hubs open and operating, together with the long awaited four elective hospitals.'