Carlow patients waiting an average of just over 130 days for a tonsillectomy operation
New figures
Carlow patients are waiting an average of 134 days for a tonsillectomy operation, new figures have revealed.
Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health about the number of persons on waiting lists for tonsillectomy in each county; the average wait in each county and the longest wait in each county.
In a written response, Minister Simon Harris provided figures which showed Carlow people have an average of 134 days to wait for a tonsillectomy operation.
This was one of the lowest in the country with people in Leitrim waiting an average of 357 days.
Minister Harris said: "Reducing waiting time for patients for hospital operations and procedures is a key priority for Government.
"Budget 2019 announced that the Government has further increased investment in tackling waiting lists, with funding to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) increasing from €55 million in 2018 to €75 million in 2019.
"The joint Department of Health/HSE/NTPF Scheduled Care Access Plan 2019 was published recently and sets out measures to improve care for patients waiting for scheduled care in 2019 by reducing wait times for inpatient/day case treatment and outpatient appointments.
"The plan will place a strong focus on a number of high-volume procedures, including tonsils.
"When combined with HSE activity, it is projected that the NTPF will be in a position to offer treatment to all clinically suitable patients waiting more than 6 months for one of these procedures."