Harney fury at doctors’ criticism of waiting lists

TÁNAISTE and Health Minister Mary Harney rounded on consultants yesterday for attacking the Government’s performance in cutting hospital waiting lists.

Figures released yesterday show 4,944 people were awaiting surgery in six major Dublin hospitals and one Limerick hospital. Of those, 1,207 were waiting more than 12 months. Under the last waiting list system, the seven hospitals accounted for about 40% of the total number of patients waiting surgery nationally.

The last waiting list figures, published by the Department of Health in December 2003, showed 27,000 people waiting for treatment.