Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Health Minister Simon Harris RollingNews.ie

Patients to be told how long they'll spend on a waiting list under new 'guarantee' scheme

The waiting list guarantee policy will kick in next year.

A WAITING LIST guarantee policy is to be established next year so patients will know how long they can expect to wait for an operation.

Speaking at the launch of Sláintecare implementation strategy – which is the cross-party plan to overhaul the Irish health service over ten years – Health Minister Simon Harris admitted that people are waiting too long on waiting lists.

The plan sets out an ambitious target of waiting lists being no longer than 12 weeks.

An analysis of various health waiting lists, obtained by Fianna Fáil’s deputy leader Dara Calleary, shows there were nearly one million patient appointments outstanding in the first half of the year.

While the minister said there is no single solution to solve this problem, the plan is to develop a guarantee system for patients which will set out a time period or target, so people are not left in limbo with no indication as to when they might get an appointment.

Waiting list guarantee times

“If you are an Irish person waiting for a hip operation, a knee operation, or a cataract operation – how long should you have to wait? How can we guarantee that it will be delivered? We are going to look at underpinning that with legislation,” said Harris, adding:

The Sláintecare plan wants to get to a waiting list guarantee of 12 weeks, if you or I were sitting in Scotland a number of years ago and they said they were going to do that, I’m sure a lot of people in the media would understandably have said well that will never happen. But it did, they did it through a number of measures we’re going to take here, including trying to do more in the community.

It is understood the government is looking to introduce legislation to underpin the guarantee scheme to ensure there is accountability and consequences set out in law for those that fail to deliver on the wait time targets.

0258 Publication of the Slaintecare_90550861 Minister for Health Simon Harris and Ms Laura Magahy, Executive Director of the Sláintecare Programme Office. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Explaining the thought process behind it, Harris said:

“If you are going to work tomorrow you don’t ask how many cars are on the M50 – you ask how long you are going to be on the M50 to get to work.”

No shows for hospital appointments not helping 

Waiting lists is a priority, said Harris, who pointed out that nearly half a million outpatient appointments were missed last year. While he was keen to point out that is most likely not the fault of the patient, but the appointments system itself.

My own sense is that it’s due to the lack of proper data, actually tracking people. When people quote global waiting lists figures, that could be one patient on a list a number of times with a number of doctors… I believe that far too many patients are on waiting lists for too long, I believe we have a significant waiting list challenge and we need to accept it.
But I do believe there is a responsibility on the opposition … we cannot have a situation where somebody believes everybody in this country will wait 18 months for an operation. Far too many are, I’m determined to drive that down, but the majority of people are waiting less than nine months and a significant proportion are waiting less than three months.

In addition to tackling spiralling waiting lists, the long-term plan sets out key actions over a ten-year period.

Expanding access to more people 

One of the key actions is reviewing the eligibility in which a person can access health services in Ireland.

Harris said it is about “making sure no one today decides not to access healthcare because they can’t afford it – that is not a system we can stand over. Sláintecare talks about low-cost or no cost and we need to grapple with what is a fair eligibility”.

This will include a review of the GP contract, as well as a review of the GP visit card income threshold, which determines if someone can get one, and if that can be expanded so more people can avail of it.

The minister has already stated previously that GP fees of €55 or €60 to see a doctor are too expensive.

Detangling private practice from public hospitals

The minister was also very clear that he wants to “detangle” the private sector from public hospitals.

“I am one person, I am the minister of health, but I have a clear view. It is not equitable of fair that you can access healthcare in our public hospitals on the basis of your ability to pay. That’s what I believe, but let’s be very clear, private health insurance in public hospitals generates significant income for the public health service.”

It is a view that many in the health service will “line up” to shoot down the idea, said the minister, but he added that he believes one way to increase capacity is freeing up beds in public hospitals that are being used by private patients.

“I don’t accept this is beyond us. I mean, why are we happy to be outliers on this – this is not normal. I sometimes think we have convinced ourselves in this country that this is the norm… It is not going to be straightforward or easy but it is certainly right that Sláintecare asks us tease it out, report on it and publish it.”

Compo for doctors?

The minister was also questioned about the cost of such a drastic move, particularly the cost and possible compensation that might be paid to doctors who have it contained in their contracts that they can use public hospitals for private practice.

Harris said the word compensation is the wrong word, stating that an expert group has been tasked with looking at the costings.

“Is it true to say that if we wanted to disentangle private practice from public hospitals it would require contract negotiations from consultants? Yes it would. Are we making those decisions today? No we are not. We have asked an expert group chair to do his work. He will report back this year, we will publish it and bring it to Government to inform our decision-making process.

“It will require new contracts but we should not and I will not allow us to be talked into a position whereby this is not doable. In other countries, this is the norm…. I believe the majority of clinicians want to be able to work in the health service where they have access to theatres, beds where they can do their job,” said Harris.

The minister said today is a significant day for the healthcare system in Ireland, however, criticisms were levelled at him that the implementation plan is not fully costed.

So, what is it all going to cost? 

The minister said he agreed with UCC economist Brian Turner’s assessment that by the end of ten years there will be an increase in the health budget of roughly about €2.6 billion per year.

“I think that’s right, if you consider the fact that the health budget increased by 5% this year,” he said, adding however, that there will require significant contractual negotiations with many stakeholders in the health service and in some instances require significant procurement and tender.”

One thing the minister did say about costings is that there will be no additional taxes place on people to fund the new plan.

“There are no proposed tax increases, much of this will be covered by a growing economy to deliver the resources needed for a proper health service that we all want.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
67 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Farrell
    Favourite Conor Farrell
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:29 PM

    You’ll be missed, Iain. :(

    159
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Steve Hardy
    Favourite Steve Hardy
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:29 PM

    Thanks for the stories, you’ll be missed

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aoife O'Riordan
    Favourite Aoife O'Riordan
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:29 PM

    RIP, Iain. You were bloody fantastic.

    114
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Heather Sinnott
    Favourite Heather Sinnott
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:35 PM

    Started to re-read his books again since the news of illness. Sad to hear he died. Enjoying Whit all over again.

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rian Lynch
    Favourite Rian Lynch
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:32 PM

    RIP

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Stephen Fitzpatrick
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:33 PM

    RIP

    The Algebraist is one of my favourite sci-fi novels of all time.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Jingles
    Favourite Mr Jingles
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:33 PM

    I hope they make a culture movie!

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gareth Staunton
    Favourite Gareth Staunton
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 7:01 PM

    Me two. Consider phleabus please.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute big shmoke
    Favourite big shmoke
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:46 PM

    RIP, thanks for the books. You will be remembered.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dessie Edmunds
    Favourite Dessie Edmunds
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:35 PM

    A brave, talented writer

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:50 PM

    RIP to a gifted writer.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Hynes
    Favourite Derek Hynes
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 4:55 PM

    Fantastic writer. I still have The Crow Road to read. So many great books by him.
    RIP

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Feargal Garvin
    Favourite Feargal Garvin
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 7:40 PM

    Crow Road is a gem. I wish I could read it for the first time again.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:39 PM

    Never read his books as not a si if fan, but as a fellow cancer sufferer, may he rest in peace.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Cockfarmer
    Favourite Patrick Cockfarmer
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:48 PM

    Joan – “Viva forever / I’ll be waiting / Everlasting / Like the sun”

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rónán O'Suilleabháin
    Favourite Rónán O'Suilleabháin
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 6:35 PM

    Joan he has as extensive a fiction catalog as he does science fiction. Well worth a read.

    I’m finishing his most recent sci-fi right now, having just finished his most recent fiction.

    My christmas books will meet be the same

    14
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 7:06 PM

    Ronan obviously I’ve missed something, need to investigate, I’m an avid reader!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Shea
    Favourite Dave O'Shea
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 8:55 PM

    Joan.. He went under the name Iain M Banks when writing his sci fi novels… That should help.. Make sure to read the wasp factory and crow road… Bloody sublime.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Jun 10th 2013, 5:41 AM

    Thanks Dave!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Cockfarmer
    Favourite Patrick Cockfarmer
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:00 PM

    RIP – a great author. I love The Crow Road.

    Why does God give people cancer?

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Siddall
    Favourite Joseph Siddall
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:09 PM

    Patrick, why indeed. 59 is no age but he achieved more than most and will be sadly missed.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Cockfarmer
    Favourite Patrick Cockfarmer
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:32 PM

    Ah – I see a couple of right-wing religious nuts are out in force. They have no answers of course.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin St John
    Favourite Martin St John
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:21 PM

    How sad … Read the wasp factory meny moons ago and it was a masterpiece … My English teacher borrowed it and said it was the best fiction he ever read . I think that says it all .. Great writer !

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jennifer Hislop
    Favourite Jennifer Hislop
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:37 PM

    Tom sharpe and Iain banks in one week. Too sad. Dead air is my favourite banks book.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Hilliard
    Favourite Robin Hilliard
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 6:22 PM

    ‘The Bridge’, ‘The Player of Games’ and ‘Use of Weapons’.

    What a brilliant talent.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Magennis
    Favourite John Magennis
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 6:28 PM

    So sad, I loved the Wasp Factory. RIP

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin B
    Favourite Colin B
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 5:50 PM

    Never read any of his sci-fi but my personal favourite Complicity was a great and underrated book of his. A very talented storyteller. He leaves a valuable legacy to future generations who appreciate good writing.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damian Long
    Favourite Damian Long
    Report
    Jun 10th 2013, 12:16 AM

    Very sorry to hear this,huge fan, rest in peace Iain……

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Grogan
    Favourite William Grogan
    Report
    Jun 9th 2013, 10:33 PM

    It’s a toss up who was the greatest SF writer, Banks or Philip K Dick. All very sudden. Apparently he didn’t suffer towards the end. 59 is very young nowadays. I’m reading The Hydrogen Sonata. Maybe I’ll read it slowly.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a comment

 
cancel reply
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds