More than 7,200 people have joined waiting lists to see consultants at Ennis General and University Hospital Limerick since the beginning of the pandemic.
The latest figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund show they’re among almost 47,700 people waiting for in-patient or out-patient appointments at the end of last month.
The number of people waiting over a year and a half for appointments has also soared.
There were 47,690 people waiting for appointments to see a consultant at either Ennis General or University Hospital Limerick in October, according to these figures.
It represents an increase of 7,275, or 18%, since February.
In Dooradoyle alone, the number of people waiting a year and a half for an outpatient appointment jumped by 54% over the eight month period to 42,777.
While the numbers awaiting an in-patient appointment were three and a half times higher, with 266 people on the list for 18 months or more.
At Ennis General Hospital, meanwhile, the waiting lists for outpatient and inpatient appointments grew considerably, by 12% and 32% respectively, while the numbers waiting at least a year and a half for an outpatient appointment at the county hospital has jumped by 151% since COVID emerged.
The Irish Patients Association has described the soaring figures as a “real concern”, saying medical research showing longer wait times negatively impact patient outcomes.
Spokesperson Stephen McMahon also insists that the issue can be addressed, even as COVID remains in our society.
