01/03/2007

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.

A total of 2,552 patients were waiting six months and over for treatment at the end of December 2006, a decrease of 7,851 compared to December 2005.

The number of patients waiting six months and over for a first outpatient appointment stood at 43,883, a fall of 31,176 over the year.



The Minister said: “Waiting times for the end of December show significant reductions in the length of time people are waiting to have surgery or see a consultant. Staff working in the Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) have been working tirelessly to meet the challenging targets whereby no-one will be waiting more than six months for surgery or a first outpatient appointment by the end of March 2007.

“As well as striving to reduce the time people have to wait for treatment, the sheer numbers of patients who have had surgery and had a first outpatient appointment over the last year is remarkable. In the last three months of 2006, almost 45,000 patients had surgery and many more were treated. Almost 115,000 people attended a first outpatient appointment during the last quarter of 2006.



He continued: “I will continue to do my utmost to ensure people in Northern Ireland have access to rapid and high quality treatment.”


(JM)

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