'We really need the proposed elective hospital,' Cork GP says

“WE REALLY need the proposed elective hospital,” a Cork GP and councillor said as new figures showed hospital waiting lists in Cork have increased again.

87,160 people were on waiting lists for Cork hospitals at the end of May according to monthly data published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).

Of these, 20,373 had been waiting for more than a year to be seen.

Some 79,030 people were awaiting outpatient treatment from one of six Cork hospitals, while 8,130 were awaiting inpatient treatment.

The South Infirmary University Victoria Hospital had the highest number awaiting inpatient treatment at 4,510 followed by Cork University Hospital at 1,797.

For outpatient treatment, there were 36,887 on waiting lists for CUH, 28,796 for South Infirmary, 5,939 for the Mercy, 4,238 for Mallow General Hospital, 2,265 for Cork University Maternity Hospital and 905 for Bantry General Hospital.

For the six hospitals combined, 46,842 people had been waiting up to six months, 19,944 had been waiting between six and 12 months, 9,294 had been waiting between 12 and 18 months, and 11,082 had been waiting more than 18 months for an appointment.

Dr John Sheehan, a councillor for Cork City North West and a GP in Blackpool, said that the issue is one which is “very frustrating” for patients.

“It really affects their quality of life — if they’re waiting for a hip or knee replacement or cataracts, they could be on a lot of pain medication or have an increased risk of falls.

“Their quality of life is diminished, it’s something we need to address as a society as these are by and large vulnerable people.”

He said there had been some improvement in ophthalmology waiting lists since the unit moved from CUH to South Infirmary which has an extra theatre, adding that the Ballincollig Primary Care’s eye unit is also trying to help clear the backlog.

Dr Sheehan noted a number of measures to address the issue including an increase in the intake for the GP training programme in Cork and the recent news of new hospital beds for Cork.

He said that improving the balance between primary care and acute hospital settings was another solution that was being actively worked on.

“At the moment, it’s a bit like having two buses going in parallel directions but they’re not speaking to each other, it is beginning to improve but it’s not there yet,” he said.