Procurement for waiting list management system delayed

The HSE has not initiated any procurement process for a waiting list management system, despite indications that one would be commenced last year, a spokesperson for the Executive told this newspaper. The need for such a system has been under review by the HSE for a number of years, following the success of e-booking systems in other jurisdictions.

In October 2018, the Medical Independent (MI) reported on an analysis of the Sorsix Pinga system, which was used to reduce waiting lists in Macedonia. The analysis, which was conducted by Sorsix and commissioned by Alpha Healthcare, found that the five specialties with the largest waiting lists (excluding gynaecology) would see their lists reduce within six-to-20 months if a new ‘real-time’ e-booking system was implemented.

Speaking to MI in May 2019, HSE National Director of Acute Operations Mr Liam Woods said the Executive would likely go to tender over the coming months for such a system. However, no such tender has commenced, according to the HSE.

“The HSE is considering how technology and e-health can enable its service continuity and transformation requirements,” a spokesperson told this newspaper. “The management of waiting lists is one such area currently being examined in relation to this.

At this time, the HSE has not initiated any procurement nor chosen any system for waiting list management.” It was recently reported that a briefing prepared for Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly indicated waiting lists could increase by 130 per cent as a result of the postponement and reduction of healthcare services to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.