Almost 280 patients in Cork have been waiting for more than a year for surgery.

According to new figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, a total of 1,286 patients were on surgical waiting lists in Cork last year with 551 patients waiting from three to six months for their procedures, 457 patients waiting between six months and a year for surgery and 278 patients waiting longer than one year for surgery.

The surgery waiting list at Cork University Hospital is significantly longer than at any other Cork hospital and has been named as one of five hospitals across the country which account for over half of the patients waiting longer than a year for surgery.

The figures released yesterday (Wednesday, June 25) came from the National Treatment Purchase Fund's Annual Report. The report also showed that over 16,000 waited over three months for surgery. Commenting on report, the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said it is inexcusable that more than 2,000 patients are waiting longer than a year for surgery. She said that it was imperative that referrals to the NTPF for those waiting longest for treatment is 'a top priority'.

"I have asked the NTPF and the HSE to work together to tackle this issue and to report back to me regularly on their progress. It is deeply unfair to patients who have been waiting for operations not to refer them. To refer them to the NTPF gives patients themselves the option for treatment. The money and the resources are there. The quality is assured," she said.

Since its establishment in 2002, the NTPF has arranged private treatment for over 100,000 public patients who were waiting longer than three months for surgery. It says that average waiting times for the most common surgical procedures are now two to five months.

Anyone who has been waiting for more than three months for an operation on an in-patient public hospital waiting list may be eligible for treatment. Patients, their families or GPs can call the NTPF directly on 1890 720 820.

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