Menu
04/12/2003
Hospital inpatient waiting lists continue to fall
Hospital inpatient waiting lists are now at their lowest since March 2001 and have fallen by 10% over the past twelve months, it was revealed today.
Figures released by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland today showed that waiting lists have now fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter while the number of people waiting for more than 18 months has now fallen by almost 30% over the last year.
While welcoming the news, Health Minister, Angela Smith warned there was still a long way to go before waiting lists were at an acceptable level. She said: “There is still a long way to go. The most immediate task is to maintain this momentum.
"Although the reductions in inpatient waiting are very welcome, the number of people waiting for outpatient appointments continues to rise, and that is something we need to tackle now that we have made such solid progress on inpatient waiting."
Referring to reductions in the numbers of people waiting for cardiac surgery the Minister said: “The news that the number of people waiting for cardiac operations has reduced is very welcome - people needing heart surgery are now getting their operations quicker and that will be very reassuring to the public.
"In the past year alone, waiting lists for cardiac surgery have been cut by nearly 50%."
The Minister concluded by saying that local boards and trusts are implementing a wide range of waiting list initiatives to reduce the numbers waiting for hospital treatment and to shorten waiting times. Measures have also been introduced to manage waiting lists more effectively, she added.
(MB)
Figures released by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland today showed that waiting lists have now fallen for the fourth consecutive quarter while the number of people waiting for more than 18 months has now fallen by almost 30% over the last year.
While welcoming the news, Health Minister, Angela Smith warned there was still a long way to go before waiting lists were at an acceptable level. She said: “There is still a long way to go. The most immediate task is to maintain this momentum.
"Although the reductions in inpatient waiting are very welcome, the number of people waiting for outpatient appointments continues to rise, and that is something we need to tackle now that we have made such solid progress on inpatient waiting."
Referring to reductions in the numbers of people waiting for cardiac surgery the Minister said: “The news that the number of people waiting for cardiac operations has reduced is very welcome - people needing heart surgery are now getting their operations quicker and that will be very reassuring to the public.
"In the past year alone, waiting lists for cardiac surgery have been cut by nearly 50%."
The Minister concluded by saying that local boards and trusts are implementing a wide range of waiting list initiatives to reduce the numbers waiting for hospital treatment and to shorten waiting times. Measures have also been introduced to manage waiting lists more effectively, she added.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 December 2002
Rise in hospital waiting lists 'disappointing' says Browne
Hospital waiting lists have risen by almost 3,500 in the past year – leaving Northern Ireland trailing behind its UK counterparts – according to statistics contained in the health department's quarterly review of waiting lists.
Rise in hospital waiting lists 'disappointing' says Browne
Hospital waiting lists have risen by almost 3,500 in the past year – leaving Northern Ireland trailing behind its UK counterparts – according to statistics contained in the health department's quarterly review of waiting lists.
02 March 2006
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
Inpatient waiting lists reach ten-year low
Waiting lists for inpatients and day-patients have reached their lowest in ten years, Health Minister Shaun Woodward revealed today. The number of people waiting over a year for appointments has almost dropped by 50% over the past quarter.
22 July 2015
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
06 June 2002
Hospital waiting lists peak to new record
The number of people on hospital waiting lists in the province has reached an all-time high. According to the latest quarterly figures there are almost 59,000 people on hospital waiting lists – an increase of over 1,000 on the previous quarter – and much higher than the targets set by government.
Hospital waiting lists peak to new record
The number of people on hospital waiting lists in the province has reached an all-time high. According to the latest quarterly figures there are almost 59,000 people on hospital waiting lists – an increase of over 1,000 on the previous quarter – and much higher than the targets set by government.
03 June 2021
Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
NI's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is urging the Finance Minister to bring forward funding options to help with the current crisis in hospital waiting lists. The SDLP Minister is to propose that the Finance Minister bring forward options for funding a response to the current hospital waiting list crisis.
Call For Funding Response To Hospital Waiting List Crisis
NI's Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is urging the Finance Minister to bring forward funding options to help with the current crisis in hospital waiting lists. The SDLP Minister is to propose that the Finance Minister bring forward options for funding a response to the current hospital waiting list crisis.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will remain cloudy through the evening and overnight with some mist or the odd spot of drizzle possible at times. Light southwest winds continue. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
