7,750 missed appointments at local hospitals in 2012 restricts ability to see new patients – Feighan

Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim said that the high level of no show patients at local hospitals is restricting the ability to see new patients. Deputy Feighan was commenting after it emerged that more than 7,750 patients failed to turn up for appointments at Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals in 2012.

“In 2012, 2,177 patients did not show up for appointments at Roscommon Hospital. This represents 15% of all appointments made during the year for outpatient services not being filled. At Portiuncula Hospital, 5,579 patients, or 12% of the total number of outpatient appointments made, didn’t show up last year. Not only was the time of the healthcare workers involved wasted, but these appointments could have gone to other patients.

“I’m fully sure there were genuine reasons in many cases why people could not make their appointments but equally, the high number of missed appointments reduces the capacity to see new patients and adds considerably to waiting lists.

“I echo the comments made recently by the CEO of the Galway/Roscommon Hospitals Group, Bill, Maher, who asked that all patients make every effort to attend their designated appointments. Alternatively, patients can notify the hospital in advance so that the slots may be offered to other patients.

“The primary objective of all stakeholders in Roscommon Hospital is to increase the activity – and that also means people making every effort to attend their designated appointments.

“I want to be very clear that there is significant investment going into Roscommon Hospital but I would ask people to be also conscious of the need to attend appointments which will also help tackle waiting lists.”

ENDS