GP waiting times concerning in the Western Trust Area

by Gráinne Connolly

The Western Trust released their general publications for the month of June, including 'GP Access to Waiting Time information'. 

The document from the 30th of June showed a list of the specialist units and their waiting times for both 'New Consultant Led Outpatient Appointments' and 'Inpatient and Day Cases'. 

For new Consultant Led Outpatient Appointments, the waiting time was highest for Orthopoedics; leaving patients waiting up to 161 weeks. 

Meanwhile, the lowest waiting time was 5 weeks for Haemotology services. 

For Inpatient and Day cases, E.N.T (Ear, Nose and Throat) patients waited the longest, with some left up to 174 weeks. 

Meanwhile, Community Dentals had the lowest waiting time for patients with 22 weeks. 

The remaining waiting time figures (recorded in weeks) for other services in the Western Trust are linked below in a pdf file: 

Western Trust - June longest waiting times (in weeks)

Some of the waiting times for local health services in the Western Trust have raised issues and concerns with local politicians. 

SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan found the document extremely worrying:

"Health waiting lists for the Western Trust have reached unprecedented levels which only means that many tens of thousands of people are left suffering on waiting lists that seemingly have no end.

"Many people have come to my office in desperation saying they are waiting well over a year for hip surgery, knee surgery or even to see a consultant to schedule surgery.

"It leaves people with two options, either continue to suffer on the NHS or go private. However, many people simply don't have the money for the latter."

The MLA went on to say that people are continuing to suffer due to the political stalemate at Stormont:

"This is completely unacceptable and it is equally unacceptable that the political impasse at Stormont has been allowed to make matters worse. Instead of taking the helm, the two major political parties are putting politics before people. 

Mr McCrossan continued in expressing his concern for people in the Trust area: 

"It is frustrating that I cannot do anything for these people.

"I make representations to the Trust, to the Board and to the Department but that doesn't help.

"All I am told is that they are on the list somewhere and will be seen in chronological order.

He concluded with:

"There needs to be a major cash injection to alleviate immediate pressures while investment is desperately needed for elective care centres and staffing - only a Minister and an Executive can sign that money off.

“I will keep lobbying the Trust, the Department and the Board on individual cases but political parties all need to come together to find a long term solution."