Menu
16/01/2006
£35M investment to cut waiting times
Health Minister Shaun Woodward has today revealed a new system to revolutionise hospital outpatient's services and cut down waiting times for patients.
Mr Woodward referred to current waiting times as "appalling" and emphasised that there would be a "total transformation" in the current system.
It is hoped that a new Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS), will be up and running by April, which will ensure that once patients have seen their GP, they will be referred to a specialist as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Approximately £35 million is to be invested into the transformation of the system in what the Minister has said to be "one of the single largest investments in public services in Northern Ireland."
He said: "I am passionate in reforming our public services for the good of patients. I am also totally committed to the eradication of hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. To do this, investment is needed and we will now make that investment.
"So far we have invested more than an additional £5m in 2005/06 to tackle the waiting list problem. We will be adding substantial additional funding in the next two years. In 2006/7 there will be further additional investment of £12m and in 2007/08 a further £18m, bringing total investment to over £35m."
Mr Woodward continued by saying that the money would be spent on the development of the new ICATS services and will provide for substantial investment in diagnostic capacity, particularly in areas such as MRI and CT scanning.
He added that the there would also be particular attention paid to investing into key hospital services such as orthopaedics, urology and neurosurgery.
(EF/SP)
Mr Woodward referred to current waiting times as "appalling" and emphasised that there would be a "total transformation" in the current system.
It is hoped that a new Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS), will be up and running by April, which will ensure that once patients have seen their GP, they will be referred to a specialist as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Approximately £35 million is to be invested into the transformation of the system in what the Minister has said to be "one of the single largest investments in public services in Northern Ireland."
He said: "I am passionate in reforming our public services for the good of patients. I am also totally committed to the eradication of hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. To do this, investment is needed and we will now make that investment.
"So far we have invested more than an additional £5m in 2005/06 to tackle the waiting list problem. We will be adding substantial additional funding in the next two years. In 2006/7 there will be further additional investment of £12m and in 2007/08 a further £18m, bringing total investment to over £35m."
Mr Woodward continued by saying that the money would be spent on the development of the new ICATS services and will provide for substantial investment in diagnostic capacity, particularly in areas such as MRI and CT scanning.
He added that the there would also be particular attention paid to investing into key hospital services such as orthopaedics, urology and neurosurgery.
(EF/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
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 September 2005
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
Outpatient hospital waiting list figures rise
The number of people waiting for a first outpatient appointment has increased in the last three months by almost 6%. The figures published by the Department of Health revealed that the number of patients waiting for an initial outpatient consultation had risen by 9,385 to 176,523, an increase of 5.6% on the previous quarter.
28 May 2021
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
Call For Urgent Meeting To Address Waiting List Crisis
The SDLP is calling for an urgent meeting with the Finance and Health Ministers after further details of the extent of the waiting list crisis have been published. MLAs Cara Hunter and Matthew O'Toole said that this is the biggest crisis facing people in Northern Ireland and it must be the most urgent priority for political leaders.
02 April 2003
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
Rise in transplant waiting list sparks donor appeal
The latest figures from the office of the Transplant Co-ordinator in Belfast City Hospital have revealed that the number of people in the province awaiting organ transplants has risen. Some 240 people are currently waiting for major organ transplants such as heart, kidney, liver or lungs - an increase of almost 60 people on this time last year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
