Health Minister reports over 9,000 patients were taken from local hospital lists last year

Over 9,000 patients were removed from hospital waiting lists in the Mid-West in 2023, according to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

Figures for each individual hospital, including Nenagh Hospital, which is part of University Hospital Limerick Group, were not included in his report.

Figures released by Minister Donnelly show an 8,800 reduction in the numbers waiting longer than 12 months at University Hospital Limerick (UHL); outpatient waiting lists at St John’s Hospital halved, and 2023 was the second year in row that hospital waiting lists fell

Included in the progress in the region: 

- Almost 8,800 patients waiting longest (over 12 months) for an outpatient appointment were removed from waiting lists at UHL

- A further 2,000 patients waiting between six and 12 months for an outpatient appointment received care – a 27% reduction

- The outpatient waiting list at St John’s Hospital more than halved (52% reduction) with 800 fewer patients waiting. 

860 fewer patients waiting longer than 12 months at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital (a 64% reduction). 

Minister Donnelly said: “Throughout 2023 we’ve been tackling waiting lists hospital by hospital and specialty by specialty. Thanks to the enormous efforts of our healthcare workers in hospitals across the mid-west, we have fewer patients waiting now than we did a year ago. 2023 was the second year in a row that we achieved this progress and I’m determined that fewer patients again in the Mid-West will be waiting at the end of 2024.”