More than 4,500 patients on waiting lists at two Cork hospitals 

More than 4,500 people are awaiting neurology, rheumatology, orthopaedics, or pain relief treatment in Cork University Hospital or the Mercy hospital.

Figures provided to Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, show that these waiting lists include nearly 500 children and that more than 400 people have been waiting more than a year for treatment.

There are 2,517 people awaiting a neurology appointment in Cork University Hospital, including 10 people waiting more than two years.

Some 2,045 adults are awaiting outpatient treatment, 869 of whom have been waiting 0-3 months: 555 for 3-6 months; 377 for 6-9 months; 109 for 9-12 months; 81 for 12-15 months; 37 for 15-18 months, and 17 for more than 18 months.

There are also 472 children waiting, 88 for 0-3 months; 97 for 3-6 months; 65 for 6-9 months; 53 for 9-12 months; 72 for 12-15 months, 45 for 15-18 months, and 52 for more than 18 months.

Additionally, there are 692 people awaiting rheumatology treatment in CUH, 432 waiting less than three months, 225 waiting three to six months, and 34 waiting six to nine months.

Outpatient

Some 596 people are awaiting an outpatient orthopaedics appointment at CUH, while a further 102 are awaiting an inpatient appointment — 79 of these have been waiting for less than two years, 15 are waiting between two and three years, and eight are waiting between three and four.

Finally, figures were provided for those awaiting pain relief, which showed that though pain relief specialty was not listed for CUH, there were 767 waiting in the Mercy. Of these 699 were awaiting outpatient treatment — 164 for 0-3 months; 146 for 3-6 months; 71 for 6-9 months; 63 for 9-12 months; 54 for 12-15 months; 46 for 15-18 months; and 155 for more than 18 months. An additional 68 people were awaiting inpatient pain relief treatment.

Waiting too long

Mr Donnelly said: “It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments”.

“I published the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan on March 27. This year’s plan aims to achieve a reduction in the overall number of patients on waiting lists while three of the four overarching targets in the plan are specifically focused on improving waiting times.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire told The Echo: “The numbers on these waiting lists reflects the huge pressure our healthcare service is on. These are crucial areas of healthcare and some people waiting over two years for treatment is hard to see. I am particularly concerned at the high levels of waiting times for neurology.

“The pain relief and rheumatology waiting lists also need close attention given the potential for discomfort and hardship that exist for patients.”

He called on the Government to address these issues, saying: “Sinn Féin would fund 1,800 hospital beds and 1,200 community beds for delivery by 2027.”