Tipperary Patients Now Waiting 51 Months For HSE Urology Appointments – Mattie McGrath

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said confirmation of patients in Tipperary routinely waiting up to 51 months for an appointment with a Consultant Urologist at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) is absolutely outrageous. Deputy McGrath was speaking after he made representations on behalf of several constituents who have been on Urology waiting lists for the last number of years and have still not been seen:

“The problem is literally deepening with every passing week.

Three weeks ago I made representations to UHW for a constituent and was told that the waiting time for Urology was 48 months. Today, less than a month later, I have been informed that the waiting time for the same consultant is now 51 months. Every week the waiting time is increasing by a month.

What on earth is going on when it takes almost 4 and a half years for a patient to be seen?

My main concern is that in the intervening time period, what might have initially been a ‘routine’ or non-urgent case, may have developed in to a case of something far more invasive and dangerous.

The people of Tipperary and the South-East generally are appalled by this kind of service.

I am also aware that even ‘Urgent’ ENT patients can now expect to wait between 15-18 months in the South-East.

The HSE have told me that it is reviewing the possible availability of additional day case capacity in South Tipperary General Hospital (STGH).  

It is also planned that additional capacity for Urology day cases will become available in STGH only in the 2nd quarter of 2017 .

However, if this is to happen we need very firm assurances that it will not overwhelm a hospital that has already been operating under the HSE full Capacity Protocol for a full year now,” concluded Deputy McGrath.