New hospital waiting list figures have shown the extent of the waiting list backlog in Irish hospitals.
There has been a stark increase in the number of adults and children waiting for inpatient, day and outpatient care, according to the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Over 490,500 patients are awaiting assessment or treatment in the public hospital system in Ireland.
There are almost 400,000 people waiting to be assessed for the first time as an outpatient.
6,100 people have been waiting over 18 months to be seen.
Galway University Hospital has emerged as the hospital with the longest waiting list.
Other hospitals with long lists include Beaumont, The Mater, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and Cork University Hospital.
The longest waiting list area for outpatients is ear nose and throat, while day cases are mainly waiting to see an ophthalmologist.
