More than 2,000 people on waiting list as ophthalmology role unfilled for nearly two years

The consultant ophthalmologist post for the area became vacant in autumn 2024 following a retirement. Stock picture

Efforts to fill an ophthalmology consultant in South Tipperary have failed three times since October 2024, as more than 2,000 people wait for an appointment.

HSE figures show 1,449 children under the age of four were on the waiting list for an ophthalmology appointment in South Tipperary at the end of December. A further 334 children aged between five and 17 were waiting, along with 240 people aged 18 to 64 and 372 people aged over 65.

Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat complex eye conditions and vision problems, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal disorders.

The consultant ophthalmologist post for the area became vacant in autumn 2024 following a retirement.

The first advertisement was placed by the HSE in October 2024, but has failed to attract candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. 

In one of the recruitment campaigns late last year, there was no applicant for the competition, according to a reply to a parliamentary question by local Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy.

Last December, Paul Goff, acting head of service for primary care in the region, wrote to Mr Murphy: “Unfortunately, recruitment campaigns to date have been unsuccessful, with no applicants received in response to the most recent advertisement, which had a closing date of 4th December 2025. 

"To mitigate the impact of this vacancy, the HSE is now engaging in discussions with private service contractors. While these providers are also experiencing challenges in recruiting suitably qualified specialists in this field, the HSE remains committed to securing contractual supports to manage service pressures across South Tipperary.” 

However, the post remains vacant. 

In response to another parliamentary question last month, Mr Goff stated: “Further recruitment campaigns are currently under way in both the UK and Ireland including advertisement in ophthalmology publications. The HSE are currently undertaking a validation on all waiting lists in Tipperary South and it is expected that updated information will be available shortly.” 

Mr Goff said following an unsuccessful recruitment campaign for ophthalmology posts in South Tipperary, the HSE — in collaboration with University Hospital Waterford — is implementing a plan that will see patients reviewed by the Waterford ophthalmic team in the coming months.

He said a candidate was interviewed and selected for the position in the first campaign but “but withdrew due to personal reasons at the point of expression of interest in the post". 

Mr Goff added “recruitment efforts are ongoing both nationally and internationally to attract skilled personnel to this area”.

Mr Murphy said he was concerned efforts had not been made prior to autumn 2024 to recruit a consultant ophthalmologist, as the retirement of the previous incumbent would have been expected.

He said: “That is really frustrating. I think the first failure here was not to commence a recruitment process prior to that retirement.” 

Mr Murphy described the situation in South Tipperary as a crisis.

In April, minister of state at the Department of Health Mary Butler said in the Dáil the failure to fill the post was “disappointing”. She added “a multidisciplinary working group has been established involving consultants from University Hospital Waterford”.