Ryan calls for action to reduce waiting lists for pain clinic
Deputy Patricia Ryan has written to the Minister for Health to address the long waiting lists for the pain management clinic at Tallaght Hospital.
Patricia said:
In answer to my Parliamentary Question on the waiting list for the pain management clinic at Tallaght hospital, I have been informed that there are 535, 414 and 207 people waiting on an appointment for over one, two, and three years respectively. This is absolutely unacceptable. Behind these figures are over 1,100 people suffering with painful conditions that need urgent help. Many of them are unable to work because of the pain they are suffering.
I have been contacted by several people who are waiting for far too long. They would love to return to work but it is just not possible until their pain can be managed. We need solutions which focus on a more efficient use of public hospitals to reduce the amount of people waiting. Funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations and the use of virtual clinics must happen. I have heard many stories of the effect on people’s mental health from being in constant pain, and also because of the amount of drugs being taken to manage conditions.
Covid has had some effect but there needs to be urgent action to reduce this waiting list. I welcome the fact there has been an 11% reduction on the waiting list since December last year and that nobody is waiting longer than 4 years. But we need to do better.