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07/12/2006
Hospital waiting lists continue to fall
Waiting times for surgery and outpatient appointments have continued to decrease according to the latest quarterly statistics.
The number of people waiting more than six months for surgery at the end of September 2006 fell to 3,786, a drop of 1,358, down 26.4% compared to the previous quarter.
The number of outpatients waiting over six months for a first outpatient appointment also fell by 11,168, down 16.2% compared to the previous quarter.
Commenting, Health Minister, Paul Goggins said: "The continued fall in waits for surgery and outpatient appointments is very good news for patients. We are firmly on track to meet the March 2007 targets whereby no-one will be waiting more than six months for surgery or for a first outpatient appointment.
"I particularly welcome the fact that, in addition to the reduction in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery, at the end of September only a handful of patients were waiting more than nine months for treatment. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the position four years ago when over 20,000 patients were waiting in excess of nine months."
Despite the continued drop in waiting lists, the Minister said the numbers of people who did not attend outpatient appointment was a real cause for concern.
He said: "Notwithstanding the progress we have made, a significant number of patients are still failing to turn up for their outpatient appointment or cancel at the last minute when it is too late to give someone else their slot. This is simply not acceptable. Staff across the health service are making huge efforts to drive down waiting times for patients. The public must play their part too. By failing to attend appointments, some people are denying others the opportunity to see a consultant as quickly as possible."
(EF)
The number of people waiting more than six months for surgery at the end of September 2006 fell to 3,786, a drop of 1,358, down 26.4% compared to the previous quarter.
The number of outpatients waiting over six months for a first outpatient appointment also fell by 11,168, down 16.2% compared to the previous quarter.
Commenting, Health Minister, Paul Goggins said: "The continued fall in waits for surgery and outpatient appointments is very good news for patients. We are firmly on track to meet the March 2007 targets whereby no-one will be waiting more than six months for surgery or for a first outpatient appointment.
"I particularly welcome the fact that, in addition to the reduction in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery, at the end of September only a handful of patients were waiting more than nine months for treatment. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the position four years ago when over 20,000 patients were waiting in excess of nine months."
Despite the continued drop in waiting lists, the Minister said the numbers of people who did not attend outpatient appointment was a real cause for concern.
He said: "Notwithstanding the progress we have made, a significant number of patients are still failing to turn up for their outpatient appointment or cancel at the last minute when it is too late to give someone else their slot. This is simply not acceptable. Staff across the health service are making huge efforts to drive down waiting times for patients. The public must play their part too. By failing to attend appointments, some people are denying others the opportunity to see a consultant as quickly as possible."
(EF)
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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.
07 September 2006
Minister welcomes drop in hospital waiting times
Health Minister Paul Goggins has today welcomed the sustained improvement in waiting times for hospital patients.
Minister welcomes drop in hospital waiting times
Health Minister Paul Goggins has today welcomed the sustained improvement in waiting times for hospital patients.
01 March 2007
Waiting lists targets still on track – Goggins
Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins said that there will be no let up in the drive to meet waiting time targets for surgery and outpatient appointments. Figures for the end of December 2006 show continued significant falls in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery and outpatient appointments.
Waiting lists targets still on track – Goggins
Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Paul Goggins said that there will be no let up in the drive to meet waiting time targets for surgery and outpatient appointments. Figures for the end of December 2006 show continued significant falls in the number of people waiting more than six months for surgery and outpatient appointments.
05 April 2007
Health minister announces attainment of waiting time targets
Health Minister Paul Goggins has announced that waiting time targets have been reached. Congratulating health service staff on their remarkable achievement, the Minister said that they must now redouble their efforts to ensure that new targets for next year are also met.
Health minister announces attainment of waiting time targets
Health Minister Paul Goggins has announced that waiting time targets have been reached. Congratulating health service staff on their remarkable achievement, the Minister said that they must now redouble their efforts to ensure that new targets for next year are also met.
01 June 2006
Hospital waiting lists decrease by 6,000
The latest figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have revealed that by March hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland have dropped by almost 6,000 over the last twelve months. The statistics also showed that a total of 41,495, were still waiting for treatment by the end of March 2006, a drop of 7.
Hospital waiting lists decrease by 6,000
The latest figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have revealed that by March hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland have dropped by almost 6,000 over the last twelve months. The statistics also showed that a total of 41,495, were still waiting for treatment by the end of March 2006, a drop of 7.
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