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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rise in outpatient waiting lists | Rise in outpatient waiting lists |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There has been a sharp increase in the number of people who have waited longer than they should have for a first outpatient appointment in Northern Ireland's hospitals. | There has been a sharp increase in the number of people who have waited longer than they should have for a first outpatient appointment in Northern Ireland's hospitals. |
| The target states that patients should have an appointment within nine weeks. | |
| Department of Health figures show that 1,114 people waited more than nine weeks in June. | Department of Health figures show that 1,114 people waited more than nine weeks in June. |
| However, by September the number of people waiting more than nine weeks had gone up to more than 4,500. | However, by September the number of people waiting more than nine weeks had gone up to more than 4,500. |
| Ministerial targets also state that a patient should wait no longer than 13 weeks for surgery. | Ministerial targets also state that a patient should wait no longer than 13 weeks for surgery. |
| That waiting list is increasing too - the figures showed that, at the end of September, there were 2,975 patients waiting longer than 13 weeks, compared to 1,117 in the previous quarter. | That waiting list is increasing too - the figures showed that, at the end of September, there were 2,975 patients waiting longer than 13 weeks, compared to 1,117 in the previous quarter. |
| The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said part of the reason was that "waiting list work" had to be suspended during the summer while he waited for clarity on a budget for tackling swine flu. | The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said part of the reason was that "waiting list work" had to be suspended during the summer while he waited for clarity on a budget for tackling swine flu. |
| 'Challenging' | 'Challenging' |
| He said that work had now restarted following the confirmation by the Executive of funds of £32million to meet half the £64million cost. | He said that work had now restarted following the confirmation by the Executive of funds of £32million to meet half the £64million cost. |
| He continued: "I know that all staff are committed to ensuring patients have rapid access to high quality treatment and will make every effort to recover the ground lost during this time by the end of the year." | He continued: "I know that all staff are committed to ensuring patients have rapid access to high quality treatment and will make every effort to recover the ground lost during this time by the end of the year." |
| However, he emphasised that meeting the targets will be "extremely challenging" due to financial pressures in the health service. | However, he emphasised that meeting the targets will be "extremely challenging" due to financial pressures in the health service. |
| At the end of September 2009 the total number of patients waiting for treatment was 32,765. | At the end of September 2009 the total number of patients waiting for treatment was 32,765. |
| Just under 3,000 had been waiting for more than 13 weeks, with 562 of them waiting more than 21 weeks. | Just under 3,000 had been waiting for more than 13 weeks, with 562 of them waiting more than 21 weeks. |