IrishMedicalNews

Outpatient audit ‘may not accurately reflect data’

Written by Paul Mulholland Monday, 08 February 2010 14:23

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The Secretary General of the Department of Health has said that difficulties may emerge if the HSE conducted a national audit of outpatient waiting lists.

Mr Michael Scanlan faced scathing criticism from members of the Public Accounts Committee recently about the lack of solid data on outpatient waiting lists.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael McGrath suggested that a national audit of people on hospital waiting lists for outpatient appointments be conducted by the HSE to rectify the issue.

“We could talk to the HSE about carrying out a national audit that would audit, for instance, what is on people’s books,” Mr Scanlan said.

“However, as soon as we would do that, I know, as I am sure does the Committee, two issues would arise.

One is whether the appointment book captures people who have been referred and sent elsewhere and the other issue is whether it would be up-to-date, whether it would capture people who have been moved off the list or do not need the treatment.”

Mr Scanlan said the best way to get data is to ensure that the information is captured and used to run the outpatient department, but admitted systems were not in place at the present time to accurately ascertain the number on waiting lists.