Menu
24/10/2018
New Operation Centres To Cut Hospital Waiting Lists
Health services will see a significant boost to their capacity and a drop in waiting lists, if the proposed 2,000 extra cataract operations for improving eyesight each year are approved, health authorities have said.
An extra 500 varicose vein procedures are also anticipated with the creation of new regional centres for day surgery, which will reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations due to bed or staff shortages.
The Department of Health said the pilot scheme, using smaller hospitals in counties Tyrone and Down, should reduce waiting lists significantly.
Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly said: "The development of elective care centres is an important step in the transformation of hospital services in Northern Ireland.
"The current waiting times for hospital surgery are totally unacceptable, and elective care centres are central to our plans to eradicate this scourge on our service.
"Delivering services on fewer hospital sites will increase the capacity of the health system and allow us to deliver more procedures."
Mr Pengelly also stressed that additional investment is still required to clear the backlog of patients who are waiting for an operation.
The number of people enduring lengthy waits for some surgical procedures in Northern Ireland was higher than in England this year, NHS statistics revealed.
Prototype centres for varicose veins will be based at Lagan Valley Hospital and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex; and those for cataracts will operate from Mid Ulster Hospital, Downe Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital.
They will serve patients from across Northern Ireland, so some patients may have to travel a bit further for their day surgery.
BMA Northern Ireland Council chair Dr Tom Black said: "Elective care, which is essentially non-urgent surgery or treatment, can often be cancelled at the last minute due to bed or staff shortages.
"By having these services delivered away from acute hospital sites means staff are not pulled away to treat urgent cases.
"This will hopefully mean certainty for patients, who will not have their procedure cancelled at the last minute."
(JG)
An extra 500 varicose vein procedures are also anticipated with the creation of new regional centres for day surgery, which will reduce the risk of last-minute cancellations due to bed or staff shortages.
The Department of Health said the pilot scheme, using smaller hospitals in counties Tyrone and Down, should reduce waiting lists significantly.
Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly said: "The development of elective care centres is an important step in the transformation of hospital services in Northern Ireland.
"The current waiting times for hospital surgery are totally unacceptable, and elective care centres are central to our plans to eradicate this scourge on our service.
"Delivering services on fewer hospital sites will increase the capacity of the health system and allow us to deliver more procedures."
Mr Pengelly also stressed that additional investment is still required to clear the backlog of patients who are waiting for an operation.
The number of people enduring lengthy waits for some surgical procedures in Northern Ireland was higher than in England this year, NHS statistics revealed.
Prototype centres for varicose veins will be based at Lagan Valley Hospital and Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex; and those for cataracts will operate from Mid Ulster Hospital, Downe Hospital and South Tyrone Hospital.
They will serve patients from across Northern Ireland, so some patients may have to travel a bit further for their day surgery.
BMA Northern Ireland Council chair Dr Tom Black said: "Elective care, which is essentially non-urgent surgery or treatment, can often be cancelled at the last minute due to bed or staff shortages.
"By having these services delivered away from acute hospital sites means staff are not pulled away to treat urgent cases.
"This will hopefully mean certainty for patients, who will not have their procedure cancelled at the last minute."
(JG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 December 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.
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.
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 October 2024
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
Health Minister Unveils Hospital Reconfiguration Framework
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has launched a new framework aimed at reconfiguring hospitals across Northern Ireland to create a more sustainable and efficient network of care. The document, titled 'Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes', outlines the key principles that will guide the reorganisation of hospital services.
02 November 2023
Patients Urged To Accept Appointments To Help Waiting Lists
Patients on waiting lists across Northern Ireland are being urged to accept appointments for treatment at any hospital, even if this might not be their local or closest hospital. The Department of Health has made the call in an effort to try and reduce waiting lists, urging people to accept appointments.
Patients Urged To Accept Appointments To Help Waiting Lists
Patients on waiting lists across Northern Ireland are being urged to accept appointments for treatment at any hospital, even if this might not be their local or closest hospital. The Department of Health has made the call in an effort to try and reduce waiting lists, urging people to accept appointments.
26 July 2024
Minister Highlights Elective Care Centres' Role In Reducing Waiting Lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted how Elective Care Centres play a crucial role in reducing lengthy waiting lists. The ongoing development of these surgical hubs across Northern Ireland has increased dedicated capacity for elective surgery.
Minister Highlights Elective Care Centres' Role In Reducing Waiting Lists
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has highlighted how Elective Care Centres play a crucial role in reducing lengthy waiting lists. The ongoing development of these surgical hubs across Northern Ireland has increased dedicated capacity for elective surgery.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
