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19/06/2023
People On Hospital Waiting Lists 'Feel Forgotten'
Significant and repeated failures to properly update patients on healthcare waiting lists in Northern Ireland amounted to 'systemic maladministration', and in many cases had a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of those waiting, according to a report from the Public Service Ombudsman (PSO).
Highlighting how 88% of those on hospital waiting lists "feel forgotten", Ombudsman Margaret Kelly said: "This investigation has found a waiting list system which is in disarray and which is having an adverse impact on those waiting to receive care. We found that many people placed on a waiting list received no communication at all to tell them if they were on a list, whether they were deemed routine or urgent, and when they could expect to be treated.
"Despite there being a Department of Health procedure since 2006 that Trusts have been required to follow, we found they often did not, and there was no one agreed approach not only across Trusts but within Trusts. We also found the Departmental procedure had not been updated in ten years despite waiting lists increasing exponentially."
Acknowledging the increasing financial and other pressures faced by the Trusts, she added; "I understand that the healthcare system is still recovering from the impact of Covid and that frontline health staff are working incredibly hard to provide care in a difficult situation, but it is clear that the issue of increasing waiting lists has been ongoing for close to a decade. It is even more important in the context of our lengthy waiting lists that people have the information they need to either 'wait well' or make informed choices.
"On the basis of repeated failures in communication in many parts of the system, I make an overall finding of systemic maladministration, and would urge the Department to work more cohesively with the Trusts, GPs and patient representatives to address the need for improvement.
"I have made a significant number of recommendations and welcome the early acknowledgement by Trusts of the need for improvement, as well as the recent launch by the Department of the My Waiting Time website. I will continue to work with both Trusts and the Department of Health to ensure these recommendations are put in place."
Highlighting how 88% of those on hospital waiting lists "feel forgotten", Ombudsman Margaret Kelly said: "This investigation has found a waiting list system which is in disarray and which is having an adverse impact on those waiting to receive care. We found that many people placed on a waiting list received no communication at all to tell them if they were on a list, whether they were deemed routine or urgent, and when they could expect to be treated.
"Despite there being a Department of Health procedure since 2006 that Trusts have been required to follow, we found they often did not, and there was no one agreed approach not only across Trusts but within Trusts. We also found the Departmental procedure had not been updated in ten years despite waiting lists increasing exponentially."
Acknowledging the increasing financial and other pressures faced by the Trusts, she added; "I understand that the healthcare system is still recovering from the impact of Covid and that frontline health staff are working incredibly hard to provide care in a difficult situation, but it is clear that the issue of increasing waiting lists has been ongoing for close to a decade. It is even more important in the context of our lengthy waiting lists that people have the information they need to either 'wait well' or make informed choices.
"On the basis of repeated failures in communication in many parts of the system, I make an overall finding of systemic maladministration, and would urge the Department to work more cohesively with the Trusts, GPs and patient representatives to address the need for improvement.
"I have made a significant number of recommendations and welcome the early acknowledgement by Trusts of the need for improvement, as well as the recent launch by the Department of the My Waiting Time website. I will continue to work with both Trusts and the Department of Health to ensure these recommendations are put in place."
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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.
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Hospital waiting lists peak to new record
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
