Outpatients failing to show ‘is adding to waiting lists’

The non-attendance of about 35,000 outpatients for appointments in two Galway public hospitals last year has contributed to the largest waiting list in the country.

A reported 40,517 outpatients are waiting to be seen by consultants after GP referrals to University College Hospital Galway and Merlin Park, Galway.

The HSE’s Forum West chairman, Padraig Conneely has claimed some people are waiting five or six years to receive an outpatient appointment in Galway.