Waiting lists slashed in Navan Hospital

Fine Gael Meath East Bye-Election candidate, Helen McEntee, has today (Monday) welcomed new figures from the Department of Health which show that waiting lists for inpatient procedures have been slashed in Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan since the Government came to office. Waiting lists of more than nine months for inpatient and day case procedures have been eliminated at Navan, while the number of people waiting up to six months has been slashed by 92%.

“These are very encouraging statistics on how the Government is tackling waiting lists at Navan hospital. Despite reduced budgets, we now have a situation where no one is waiting more than nine months for an inpatient or day case procedure in Navan. Furthermore, the number of people waiting more than six months for these procedures has been slashed by 92%, and those waiting three months is down 63% since this Government took office.

“Nationally, major progress has been made. In February 2011, when the Government came to office, almost 2,000 patients were waiting longer than a year for an inpatient or day case procedure. This has now been cut to 396 patients, a reduction of almost 80%. This follows the significant progress made in relation to reducing the number of people waiting on trolleys. Nationally, it has been cut by 24%. In Navan, the number of people on trolleys has been halved.

“It is very significant that these reforms are being delivered with the backdrop of a very difficult economic situation. Minister James Reilly set out a seven year plan to reform our health service when he came into office. Just two years into that plan, serious progress has been made.

“Furthermore, the Minister told the Dáil last week that there will be no changes to services in Navan hospital this year. In response to a recent Parliamentary Question, Minister Reilly said the hospital will deal with just as many patients as last year. A number of consultants have also been appointed to extend services in the hospital.

“Work will continue this year on further reducing waiting lists for inpatient procedures. The fact remains that under Fianna Fáil’s reign, when the country was awash with money, improvements were not made in our health service. Trolley numbers spiralled out of control and the previous Governments consistently failed to tackle waiting lists. I am fully committed to Navan Hospital, and if elected, I will work with Minister Reilly to ensure services are protected.”