Independent TD Mattie McGrath has called for urgent investment and a co-ordinated regional approach to transform the manner in which the outpatient Ophthalmology waitlists are dealt with as the HSE have revealed that there is currently over 20,000 people waiting for Ophthalmology appointments nationwide.
Deputy McGrath who’s colleagues in the Rural Independent Group have arranged for hundreds of patients to travel to Northern Ireland to receive Ophthalmology treatment under the Cross Border Directive has said that it is simply unacceptable that we are forcing elderly patients to travel North of the border for treatment and a procedure that often takes less than an hour.
“The Outpatient surgical waitlist for ophthalmology is amongst the highest in the country and presents a persistent problem for the HSE. It is entirely unacceptable that over 20,000 people should have to wait for Ophthalmology Appointments with almost 9,500 patients waiting over 1 year for an appointment particularly when we see what can be done if resources are managed correctly.” Said Deputy McGrath.
“Just one Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO 9) which covers Dublin North, North Central and North West stands out as having just 94 patients waiting with no patient waiting for more than 12 weeks. The Mater Hospital in collaboration with CHO 9 started a waiting list initiative, prior to the pandemic and through this initiative they have managed to drastically reduce their waitlist. They are the only adult unit in the country to have achieved any reduction. The long waiter OPD (> 12 months) waitlist has been eliminated having been up to 5 years, at one time.” Continued McGrath
“With a proper co-ordinated Regional approach on Funding and Staffing requests, it is possible to reduce these lists nationwide and the HSE must replicate the measures taken in CHO 9 and apply them nationwide.
There is simply no excuse why one region can have just 94 people waiting while another has 4,885. CHO 5 which comprises of Tipperary has 2,361.
One’s location in the Country should not determine whether or not you receive treatment in a timely manner particularly when the consequences of potentially losing your sight is at stake and it is time for the HSE to get it’s act together on this matter.” Concluded McGrath
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