Labour says State hiding waiting list

LABOUR has accused Health Minister Micheál Martin of deliberately suppressing the publication of hospital waiting lists until the October Bank Holiday, to minimise media coverage.

The latest figures were to be published in mid-September but still have not been produced by the Department of Health, according to Liz McManus, Labour’s Health spokeswoman.

“Given the significant cutbacks imposed by the Minister for Health and the severe budgetary problems facing many hospitals, the lists are likely to have increased since March,” Deputy McManus claimed.