7,000 outpatients waiting appointments at Sligo General

Added: 08-05-2012

It’s been reported that the non-attendance of about 35,000 outpatients for appointments in two Galway public hospitals last year has contributed to the largest waiting list in the country.

 

There are 40,517 outpatients waiting to be seen by a consultant after a GP referral at University College Hospital and Merlin Park.

 

According to reports this morning there are nearly 7,000 outpatients waiting to be seen at Sligo General Hospital.

 

Galway and Roscommon University Hospitals’ Group chief executive Bill Maher estimates the “unvalidated” outpatient figures in Galway hospitals could reduce by between 10 and 15 per cent when the number of patients on multiple lists for the same procedures are removed from the system.

It is estimated Galway university hospitals see 5,000 outpatients every week. Mr Maher said their overall outpatient waiting list would be much lower if patients turned up for all of their appointments.