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Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Over 49,000 people are waiting for inpatient or day case treatments

Some 5,829 people are still waiting over 8 months despite the government’s target to ensure no one waits this long for treatment.

NEW FIGURES SHOW that the total waiting list for inpatient and day case treatments nationally stands at 44,900.

There are 5,829 people waiting over 8 months for treatment, despite the government’s target to ensure that no one is waiting longer than this by the end of 2013.

The new figures were published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Commenting on them today, Ian Carter, HSE Director Designate of Acute Hospitals said that earlier this year hospitals were under “considerable pressure due to overcrowding in Emergency Departments. with increased admissions”.

He said this increase, in particular of older people requiring a longer than average stay, caused a slowdown in the delivery of elective treatments.

The HSE said Carter is now working closely with hospital Chief Executives to optimise the use of hospital capacity to reduce waiting times as a matter of urgency.

“Detailed work is underway in matching available capacity with the need for treatments,” he said. “Hospitals are being required to maximise the delivery of treatments ensuring that the longest waiters are treated first; once the most urgent cases are dealt with.”

Read: Doctors warn patients: Expect long waiting times to see your GP>
Read: 105 people every day aren’t turning up for appointments at Galway hospitals>

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16 Comments
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    Mute Maria Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Maria Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 5th 2013, 11:51 PM

    Ffs are people still smoking old.style..go e cigs im off the old smokes for three weeks my.dad is 71 was a chain smoker (60 plus a day ) for 60 years ( yes I know he was 11 when he started smoking. Different times) and he is also on the e.cigs for two weeks and delighted ( not.as much as mam!) warning e cig convert.nut !! It works

    19
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    Mute Dublinjonny
    Favourite Dublinjonny
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    Jul 6th 2013, 12:00 AM

    Cant find decent ones what make u using ?

    6
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    Mute Maria Fitzpatrick
    Favourite Maria Fitzpatrick
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    Jul 6th 2013, 12:16 AM

    I started with the e go c upgrade ..but the tank system didn’t work for me the burnt taste and “draw” wasn’t great BUT I stuck with it and after some more research ( go to boards .ie.baling vaping ….should have gone there first ..i found the system I bought was to quote.one of the more tricky systems ..sorry I didn’t go with the one new vapers are to start with…but.with their help I bought the.e vod it screws on to the e.go c.battery and.when I started I was happy.but not ecstatic..but after the e void purchase I finally GOT why it works.for so many people ..also why it worked for.a.71 year.old commited.smoker (he bought.what I bought ) , hope that makes sense..but if you want a few pointers id be happy to help….you tube vapers is your friend ..!

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    Mute Pauric O Laighin
    Favourite Pauric O Laighin
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    Jul 7th 2013, 3:33 AM

    wha u meen bud:

    1
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    Mute anto Byrne
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    Jul 5th 2013, 10:25 PM

    Legalise it

    Tax it

    Regulate it

    12
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    Mute Ronan Sexton
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    Jul 6th 2013, 8:13 AM

    Legalise burglary?

    2
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    Mute James Ó Cianáin
    Favourite James Ó Cianáin
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    Jul 6th 2013, 9:44 AM

    I think the actual problem is they are over taxed at this stage and it is driving cigaretts into the criminal underword

    3
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    Mute Jean Allen McGrath
    Favourite Jean Allen McGrath
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    Jul 5th 2013, 10:23 PM

    Hopefully the perpetrators will be smoked out soon…….

    11
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    Mute W.j.d.
    Favourite W.j.d.
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    Jul 5th 2013, 10:32 PM

    Here goes….. Looking for a fag …. So they can have a puff….

    3
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    Mute Simon O'Donnell
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    Jul 6th 2013, 5:06 AM

    Investigate the back of my sack. Same difference. Hairy Simey is tax compliant Simey.

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    Mute W.j.d.
    Favourite W.j.d.
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    Jul 5th 2013, 10:43 PM

    Ha ha ha only what suits….

    3
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    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
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    Jul 6th 2013, 12:27 PM

    well the price of Cigarettes are a rip off, so who are the real criminals, and don’t tell me it’s because the power’s to be care about the health risk’s bull….

    2
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