News

28th March 2024

Waiting list targets cannot be achieved unless Government fast-track planned additional hospital capacity

Acceptance that inpatient and day case waiting lists will soar to 97,000 by end of year reflects the scale of the crisis we are in.  The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has warned that the Government’s waiting list reduction targets for 2024 cannot be achieved unless the opening of planned additional hospital capacity is fast-tracked by the Government.  
8th March 2024

Two-thirds increase in exodus of specialists poses risk to patients 

Commenting on today’s (Friday, 8th March 2024) publication of the Medical Council’s ‘Medical Workforce Intelligence Report 2022’, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) expressed its concern at the rise in the number of specialists deciding to leave the Irish health service.
8th March 2024

111,000 people added to waiting lists despite €1.2bn spent on reduction measures since 2020

Consultants warn Action Plan for 2024 is unlikely to achieve significant cuts in waiting lists without fast-tracking increased capacity Over 889,000 people on some form of NTPF waiting list at the end of February 2024; an increase of 111,000 in the past four years;  €1.2bn spent on waiting list initiatives since 2020, with further €407m pledged for Action Plan in 2024 due to be unveiled; Hospital cancellations expected to reach 260,000 in 2023 when full-year figures are released; With additional 260,000 awaiting diagnostic scans, the total number of people on hospital waiting lists is over 1.1 million; IHCA President Prof Rob Landers: “The Government needs to fast-track the opening of the promised 1,500 additional rapid build hospital beds across 15 acute public hospital sites this year and avoid deferring their delivery any further. The impact that the increased presentations to Emergency Departments and the resulting cancellation of surgical procedures is having on patients is clear evidence of the urgent need for this additional capacity.” More than 111,000 people have been added to hospital waiting lists in the past four years, despite the Government spending a staggering €1.2 billion over the same period on initiatives aimed at reducing patient wait times.
23rd February 2024

IHCA Statement on worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Irish Hospital Consultants Association statement on the Israel-Hamas war, impact on healthcare professionals and hospitals, and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza On behalf of our nationwide membership of 3,800 hospital consultants, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) is deeply concerned by the healthcare and humanitarian crises in Gaza and the Middle East.
21st February 2024

Consultants urge Government to expedite delivery of electronic health records

Former HSE Head of Digital Transformation believes world leading EHR system can be developed for fraction of the proposed €1.8 billion  Ireland is currently 15 years behind most developed countries when it comes to digital health, says Maynooth University Professor; The health service has potential to ‘leapfrog’ other countries by giving patients access to their personal electronic health record on their phone; Government should publish new digital health strategy and long-awaited Health Information Bill without further delay to bring clarity on Digital Health funding and roll-out targets;  IHCA President Prof Rob Landers says: “This is essential to ensure Ireland has a fit-for-purpose national health information system that enhances patient care and treatment and supports better planning and delivery of health services.” A Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University says that Ireland is in a prime position to develop the most advanced electronic health record (EHR) system in the world if the appropriate strategy and funding is forthcoming from Government.
16th February 2024

IHCA Statement on HSE National Service Plan 2024

“Lack of commitment to open required additional acute hospital beds is wholly inadequate”  The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has criticised the lack of commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2024 to open a specified number of additional general acute hospital beds this year.
9th February 2024

Government cuts funding to waiting list action plan despite growing numbers 

Over 60% of patients on inpatient and day case list currently waiting longer than 3 months for treatment  877,700 people on some form of NTPF waiting list at the end of January 2024; an increase of 8,455 people (1%) in a single month; €407m pledged for Waiting List Action Plan in 2024 is €36m (8%) less than allocation in 2023, despite record growth in demand for treatment; Target to offer treatment to all patients waiting longer than 3 months for one of 20 high-volume procedures not met in 2023; 61% (52,700) of patients on inpatient and day case lists currently waiting longer than 3 months for procedure; IHCA President Prof Rob Landers: “The Government needs to honour its pledge to fund treatment for any clinically suitable patient waiting more than three months on the inpatient and day case waiting list.” The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) says it is unacceptable that funding to tackle waiting lists is being cut in 2024 by €36 million (8%) compared with the allocation in 2023, despite record growth in demand for treatment.
12th January 2024

Over 100,000 people removed from hospital waiting lists in 2023 did not receive treatment

Modest reduction in waiting lists last year would not have been achieved if not for NTPF ‘validation’ process Record growth in ‘hidden lists’ brings total to over 869,300 people on some form of NTPF waiting list at the end of the year; a reduction of just 766 people (0.1%) compared with start of 2023;  Government Action Plan fails to deliver waiting list target reduction of 69,000 (10%); only 18,800 (3%) taken off three main lists in 2023; Inpatient/day case waiting list increased by almost 4,200 (5%) in past 12 months; Fall of 4% (22,500) in Outpatient waiting list masked by significant 30% (+9,500) increase in Outpatient suspensions by end of December; IHCA President Prof Rob Landers: “The Government needs to expedite its new €407 million Waiting List Action Plan for 2024 and show more ambition in terms of delivering the additional hospital capacity that is required to meets its reduction targets.” New data analysed by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) confirms that the modest reduction in waiting lists seen in 2023 would not have been achieved had it not been for the fact that around 105,000 people were removed from hospital waiting lists last year without treatment through a National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) ‘validation’ process.1
15th December 2023

Retirement of Secretary General, Martin Varley

Statement from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) on the retirement of Secretary General, Martin Varley:
8th December 2023

Government set to miss end of year targets as three main waiting lists at virtual standstill

Over 878,500 people on some form of NTPF waiting list at the end of November; NTPF significantly exceeds its target activity levels for 2023, but main waiting lists fall by just 2,600 due to increased demand for treatment; reduction is offset by increases in other hidden lists; Waiting List Reduction target missed by almost 66,400; IHCA President Prof Rob Landers: “There is nothing to suggest we won’t be in the same position come December 2024, looking back at another year of waisted opportunities to put in place realistic bed and theatre capacity to address unacceptable waiting lists.” With just weeks until the end of the year, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has today (8 December 2023) warned that the Government’s €443 million Action Plan for 2023 will not achieve its target to reduce waiting lists for appointments and hospital treatment by 10% (-69,000), compared with the number waiting at the start of 2023. 
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