Waiting lists for hospital procedures 'starting to stabilise' after lockdown pause

The PAC heard that day-case surgery figures increased by 30% during the lockdown, but that some progress had been made to stabilise waiting lists since elective procedures began again. Picture: iStock

The agency set up to tackle growing waiting lists in the health service has signalled that delays are beginning to stabilise since surgery and elective procedures resumed.

A three-month pause in elective procedures during the emergency phase of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in the number of people waiting for hospital appointments.