Efforts to reduce outpatient waiting lists at Mayo hospital are ongoing

A total of 3,468 outpatients were seen at Mayo University Hospital during the month of August, the HSE has confirmed.

The matter was raised by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at the September HSE West Forum.

He commented: “The numbers are high, there is no doubt, but the waiting list for outpatients is about 12,000.

"How many of those seen would have been off the waiting list - or are they current patients, because if they were getting through those figures every month, the waiting list should be cleared in 12 or 13 weeks?”

Ann Cosgrove, COO, Saolta, said that generally, ‘approximately 70%' would be review visits for those with perhaps chronic diseases and who need to be monitored regularly – for example in relation to diabetes patients - and 30% would be new.

It is recommended that there be two reviews per new patient.

She added: “The waiting list is very substantial in Mayo, it currently stands at 9,945.

"MUH has been working to increase patients through Outpatients now – through a combination of face-to-face, telephone calls and video links.

"Amazingly, while you would think this would increase the throughput, there is actually a lot of administrative and technology work associated with it.

“We are actively working to increase throughput and add to the clinics as much as we can, safely and within guidelines.”