There is widespread unrest amongst leading consultants at Hospitals across the country as latest figures have shown that hospital waiting lists have spiralled out of control with some patients being forced to wait up to nine years for treatment.
According to a latest report published by The Irish Hospital Consultants Association there are currently more than 589,000 patients waiting on much needed treatment at public hospitals across the country.
The recent development which consultants say is only getting worse has led to many leading doctors and surgeons to call on the Department of Health to address the issue sooner rather than later.
Although the number of surgical appointments has fallen by more than 100,000 in four years, the IHCA say the current demand for treatment cannot be overlooked as lives are being put at risk given the increase in demand and the lack of much needed services available.
Speaking about the growing issue one leading consultant said the Government’s approach to the health service “is simply not working, they are more focused on managing the situation than dealing with it.”
“The Minister for Health must seriously address the situation by providing the appropriate servicers which include more acute beds, intensive care beds, theatre operating times, consultants and other frontline staff.”
“These bare essentials are a must to reduce what are completely unacceptable waiting lists, and overcrowding at the nations emergency departments.”