A Clare member of the HSE's Regional Health Forum West has expressed shock and serious concern after waiting times for hospital appointments in the MidWest have soared.
In June of last year, throughout the UL Hospitals Group, there were 136 people waiting at least a year for an appointment but this year, that number has soared by 500% to 815, according to new figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund
65 of those are waiting at least 18 months to be seen at University Hospital Limerick, while there has been a 61% increase in the number of people waiting at least a year for an outpatients appointment, a number that now stands at 6,100.
Sixmilebridge Councillor Pj Ryan, says the focus on reducing trolley numbers has led to a number of departments taking their eye off the ball
