Simon Harris to consider having one hospital waiting list

Health Minister Simon Harris will “seriously consider” the potential creation of a single national hospital waiting list to replace individual facility lists after the proposal was put forward by the opposition.

The Fine Gael minister confirmed he is open to the possible move in response to criticism of his five-point plan to address the country’s chronic waiting list crisis.

Earlier in the week, Mr Harris announced the new five-point system based on the return of the National Treatment Purchase Fund along with new inspections of hospitals from department officials, extra funding and the creation of reform “lead” roles in facilities to ensure plans are implemented.