Simon Harris’ five-point plan all verbiage, say medics

The health minister’s five-point plan to tackle record waiting lists has been described as “verbiage” and “short-term” at a time when the health service has suffered such reputational damage that doctors and nurses no longer want to work here.

That’s according to consultants, nurses’ representatives, and opposition politicians, who all called for sustained investment in health.

The latest hospital waiting list figures show almost 530,000 patients waiting for treatment or checks at the end of July. More than 430,500 of these patients were waiting to be seen at an out-patient clinic and 77,800 were on the list for in-patient, or day case care. Another 19,700 are waiting for a gastrointestinal check.