Almost 26,000 awaiting diagnostic scans at Cork hospitals

Almost 26,000 people in Cork are waiting diagnostic scan appointments – including for MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds – at five Cork hospitals.

A total of 25,946 are waiting for treatment across Cork University Hospital (CUH), Bantry General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital, Mercy University Hospital and South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH).

The hospital with the highest amount of patients waiting for a diagnostic scan in Cork is CUH, with 13,374; followed by Mercy University Hospital, with 8,927; SIVUH, with 2,685; Bantry General Hospital, with 585; and Mallow General Hospital, with 375.

A further 3,867 patients are waiting for a diagnostic scan at Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.

The data was made available in a response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane. A representative from the HSE’s South West service said there are currently 29,813 people across Cork and Kerry awaiting such scans, which include CT, MRI, ultrasound and vascular ultrasound scans.

In response to the figures, Sinn Féin Cork East TD Pat Buckley has called for a new national plan to tackle waiting lists for diagnostic scans because, he said, “timely access to scans is essential”.

“This crisis is not new, but it is getting worse,” said Mr Buckley.

He said that while there were large numbers on waiting lists in the HSE South West Region for such scans – “every corner of the state is affected”.

He added: “These shocking figures show just how badly this government is failing to deliver timely access to basic healthcare.

“Behind every statistic is a person, someone who is worried about their health, waiting in pain or uncertainty for answers that should have come months ago.

“Timely access to scans is essential, this is not just an administrative target, it’s a crucial part of a patient’s health journey,” he added.

He said we need a national plan to increase diagnostic capacity right across the health service, including more scanners, longer opening hours, and more radiographers and radiologists to run them.

“Patients deserve better, they deserve a health system that sees them quickly, diagnoses them early, and treats them on time.” “The government must act now to end these unacceptable delays,” he said.

Of the 13,374 patients on the waiting list at CUH, 3,853 are waiting for a CT scan; 6,057 are waiting for an MRI; and 3,464 are waiting for an ultrasound.

Among those waiting at CUH, 2,150 have been waiting for a year or longer.

Of the 8,927 patients on the-list at Mercy University Hospital (MUH), 3,449 are waiting for a CT scan; 1,979 are waiting for an MRI; and 3,499 are waiting for an ultrasound, and a total of 1,202 have been waiting for a year or longer, at MUH.

Of the 2,685 patients on the waiting list at SIVUH, 495 are waiting for a CT scan; 885 are waiting for an MRI; 1,303 are waiting for an ultrasound; and two are waiting for a vascular ultrasound.

Among those waiting for a diagnostic scan at SIVUH, 95 have been waiting for a year or longer.

Of the 585 patients waiting at Bantry General Hospital, 295 are waiting for a CT scan; and 290 are waiting for an ultrasound; and of the 375 patients on the wait-list at Mallow General Hospital, 272 are waiting for a CT scan; and 103 are waiting for an ultrasound.

Among those waiting for a diagnostic scan at Bantry General Hospital, five have been waiting for a year or longer; and among those waiting at Mallow General Hospital, seven have been waiting for a year or longer.