Almost 80,000 people awaiting  treatment in Cork hospitals

Almost 80,000 people are waiting for treatment in Cork hospitals, according to the latest National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) figures — marking a marginal increase on the numbers waiting a month ago.

Despite that slight increase on last month, the figures show a significant year-on-year improvement in waiting lists in Cork hospitals.

At the end of June, a total of 79,754 people — including 9,244 children — were awaiting treatment at either South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, the Mercy University Hospital, Mallow General Hospital, or Bantry General Hospital.

The overall figure is up marginally on the previous month, when 79,741 people — including 9,251 children — were waiting for treatment in Cork hospitals.

However, the latest figures mark a 9% decrease on the same period last year, when 87,714 people — including 10,510 children — were waiting for treatment in Cork hospitals.

Currently, 62,371 adults and 8,650 children are awaiting outpatient treatment, with 33,609 on waiting lists in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, 24,226 in Cork University Hospital, 5,420 in the Mercy, 4,632 in Mallow, 2,261 in Cork University Maternity Hospital, and 873 in Bantry.

A total of 41,191 people are waiting 0-6 months for outpatient treatment, 15,643 waiting six to 12 months, 1,577 waiting 12-18 months, and 6,812 waiting more than 18 months.

The figure also includes 8,139 adults and 594 children who are awaiting inpatient treatment, with 4,706 on waiting lists in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, 1,851 in Cork University Hospital, 931 in the Mercy, 385 in Mallow, 717 in Cork University Maternity Hospital, and 143 in Bantry.

IN-PATIENT

There are 5,693 waiting 0-6 months for in-patient treatment; 1,493 waiting six to 12 months; 750 waiting 12-18 months, and 695 waiting more than 18 months.

Waiting lists are highest in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, where 38,315 people are awaiting treatment, followed by 26,077 in Cork University Hospital, 6,351 in the Mercy, 2,978 in Cork University Maternity Hospital, 5,017 in Mallow, and 1,016 in Bantry.

A total of 5,693 have been waiting 0-6 months for in-patient treatment, 1,598 six to 12 months, 749 waiting 12-18 months, while 694 have been waiting over 18 months.

Overall, 15,631 people have been waiting more than a year for treatment, marking a slight decrease from last month, when 8,090 people were waiting 12-18 months for either inpatient or out-patient treatment, and 7,956 were waiting over 18 or more months, a total of 16,045.

DROP

The latest figures show a dramatic 23% drop in long-term waiting lists in Cork on the same period last year. At the end of June 2024, some 9,450 people were waiting 12-18 months for either inpatient or outpatient treatment and 10,811 were waiting over 18 or more months, a total of 20,261.

Nationally, a total of 686,763 people are awaiting treatment, which marks a 1.5% decrease on last month, when 687,067 were waiting, and a 2% year-on-year decrease on June 2024, when 700,253 were waiting.

A total of 65,310 people have been waiting between 12 and 18 months for treatment, and 52,870 have been waiting more than 18 months.

Overall, 17,535 people across the country have been waiting more than a year for treatment — marking an increase from last month, when 17,137 had been waiting more than a year.

Last June, 63,256 people were waiting between 12 and 18 months for treatment, and 59,589 had been waiting more than 18 months.

PROGRESS

A Department of Health statement said the June figures underlined “continued progress, including in terms of those patients waiting longest”.

It cited a reduction by approximately 4% in the total number of patients waiting more than 12 months since this time last year, and a corresponding reduction of approximately 11% in the number waiting more than 18 months.