Health Minister Defends Government’s Record On Waiting Lists

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The Health Minister has defended the government’s record on hospital waiting lists.

Simon Harris launched the new Sláintecare Implementation Plan this morning saying it will be a guideline for the future of the health service.

It includes commitments to reduce hospital waiting times, increase bed capacity and to try to disconnect public and private healthcare.

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But Health Minister Simon Harris says he doesn’t accept the government is missing its targets:

It comes as a Fianna Fáil analysis of figures shows nearly one million people are now waiting for healthcare in this country, but the party claims the actual figure could be higher.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund’s July figures have yet to be published, but in June, there was a 22% rise in the number of people in the Midwest, who were waiting 18 months or more to see a consultant.

The former Clare Chair the HSE’s Regional Health Forum West says the length of time people are waiting is nothing less than a scandal.

Kilmaley Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom McNamara has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that the time for talking is over: