Advertisement

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.

Eye check via Shutterstock

2,446 children on eye clinic waiting lists at Crumlin Hospital

Around 1,444 are still waiting for an appointment at the Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

OVER 4,200 CHILDREN across the country are on waiting lists to be seen at outpatient clinics for eye problems.

According to RTÉ News, the delays are at three of the main children’s hospitals – Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin (OLCHC) and the National Children’s Hospital at Tallaght.

In a statement this evening, OLCHC said “long waits in any area are always of concern”. They said at end of June 2013, there were 2,446 on the waiting list for ophthalmology with 1,002 given appointments, while a further 1,444 are waiting for an appointment.

A lack of community services has resulted in many minor cases flooding outpatient departments. Following a verification of its waiting lists, 21 per cent of names were removed, leaving the total at the current number of 2,446.

“Some of these patients were referred under the school’s screening programme and the hospital is working with the HSE to ensure that these children are seen in the community,” the hospital said.

The hospital is now working on an action plan to resolve the longest waiters in line with the national target of one year by the end of November. This action plan will be prepared jointly by the Children’s Hospital Group i.e. OLCHC, Children’s University Hospital Temple St and the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght.

Deep concern

The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children, Robert Troy, said the numbers are “deeply concerning” but said it’s not just children with eye conditions that are experiencing “unacceptable delays”.

In Crumlin alone there are 3,050 children with heart issues awaiting an appointment – that’s 600 more than are seeking appointments over eye problems in that hospital.

“Time and time again we are seeing more evidence that Minister Reilly’s ‘spin’ on the waiting list numbers is not matched by the reality facing patients on the ground. This situation is simply not acceptable and every effort must be made to reduce the waiting times as a matter of priority,” added Troy.

Read: Rewrite the textbooks: new layer of human eye discovered>

More: Three blind mice? New chemical helps sightless mice to see – US study>

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
44 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Doyle
    Favourite Paul Doyle
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 8:19 PM

    Fair play to him, nice gesture

    226
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Mc Gauley
    Favourite Michael Mc Gauley
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 8:28 PM

    Such a nice touch fair play to him. Even if his country’s justice system let everyone down.

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Graham McDonnell
    Favourite Graham McDonnell
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 8:50 PM

    Such a nice thing for him to do. Nice to show she hasn’t been forgotten by the country she made her second home.

    127
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Featherstone
    Favourite Joan Featherstone
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 8:39 PM

    I can’t believe this happened almost a year ago, poor Tom her husband…but what a wonderful wonderful gesture on behalf of the people of Melbourne!

    119
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian James Conway
    Favourite Ian James Conway
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 9:16 PM

    Still very sad to think about a year later.

    100
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Darcy
    Favourite Eoin Darcy
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 8:45 PM

    Very thoughtful gesture.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michelle Byrne Keane
    Favourite Michelle Byrne Keane
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 9:46 PM

    Please don’t call the girl by her surname! Her name is Jill.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jamie O'Connor
    Favourite Jamie O'Connor
    Report
    Aug 12th 2013, 10:07 PM

    Agree Michelle..’Meagher ‘had been living in Moreland’ is inapropriate, her name was Jill.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hill 16
    Favourite Hill 16
    Report
    Aug 13th 2013, 5:59 AM

    A murder that should of never happened if the idiots on the board had done their job properly

    3
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.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds