New pilot project has been established to examine public waiting lists for diagnostic tests

The pilot project to develop and test a data collection system has commenced in association with the National Programme for Radiology and HSE ICT.

“Such a system requires significant testing and validation which, in time, will facilitate the production of national data reports and development of suitable key performance indicators for diagnostic waiting times,” the Executive stated in response to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael Deputy Fergus O’Dowd on the subject.

Deputy O’Dowd asked the HSE for the status of the waiting list nationally for cardiology tests, MRI, EEG and bone scans.

He also requested the length of time patients were waiting for these tests and the plans for reducing the waiting lists.

The HSE, which did not provide the requested figures, stated that it is currently working to establish a system to track waiting lists for a range of diagnostic procedures, including MRI, CT and ultrasound.

“At hospital and specialty level, consultants regularly review individual cases and waiting lists and clinically urgent cases are prioritised,” according to the HSE.

“Where significant challenges regarding long wait times are evident, action plans are put in place by the relevant hospital group/hospital.”