Page 3863 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 November 2022

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Answers to questions

Health—gastroenterology and hepatology waiting times
(Question No 908)

Ms Castley asked the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 23 September 2022:

(1) How many patients are on the waiting list for the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit (GEHU) for 2021-22.

(2) How many of the patients referred to in part (1) have been on the waiting list for over 12 months.

(3) What is the average wait time for an initial appointment at the GEHU, that is, the total time taken for a referral to a named specialist between when the referral was received and the date the appointment was booked for.

(4) How many referrals have been waiting more than (a) six and (b) 12 months without being seen.

(5) What percentage of referrals, for example, urgent referrals, are seen within clinically recommended times.

(6) What is the average wait time for (a) general gastroenterology referrals and
(b) sub-speciality referrals.

Ms Stephen-Smith: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) As at 4 October 2022, there are 3,608 patients on the current clinic wait list (new episodes of care). There are 8,500 procedures currently on the wait list which is combination of those booked for their procedure, patients appropriate for booking and patients that have been contacted and are unable to be booked for procedures or consults for several reasons (e.g. the patient has refused due to personal circumstances or extenuating medical reasons).

(2) 3,359 patients have been on the procedure waiting lists for over 12 months and 2,408 patients have been on the consultation waiting lists for over 12 months.

(3) Average wait time for initial consultation in days:

(4) Referrals waiting more than 6 and 12 months:

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