60,000 waiting for hospital procedures

A lack of specialists, mass retirements, deep budget cuts and the private health insurance crisis have resulted in the number of people being told they must wait for vital hospital procedures surge to almost 60,000.

Figures revealed by the HSE also show that despite Health Minister James Reilly’s repeated criticism of the waits while in opposition, the numbers waiting more than six months are 47% higher today than when he took power one year ago.

According to the HSE’s latest performance monitoring report, 59,832 children and adults are being told they cannot receive the care they need when they need it.