National hospital waiting lists grew by over 86,300 patients last year, according to new data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund. As of the end of December, a total of 894,369 patients were awaiting treatment – either an outpatient appointment or an operation.
Rising Wait Times and System Strain
The figures represent a significant increase from the 808,061 patients on waiting lists at the end of December 2024. Currently, 107,181 patients are waiting for inpatient or day case procedures. Worryingly, 7,540 adults and 510 children have been waiting over 18 months, exceeding the targets set out in the 2017 Sláintecare Report, which aimed for a maximum wait of 12 weeks for these procedures.
Increases in waiting times were observed across all areas, including inpatient and day cases, outpatient appointments, and gastrointestinal checks. While 42,033 patients are currently listed as “suspended” – temporarily unfit for treatment or unable to attend – the overall trend points to increasing pressure on the healthcare system.
Regional Disparities and Specialist Areas
The hospitals with the longest waiting lists are Galway University Hospital (over 12,600 patients), Beaumont Hospital (over 11,000 patients), and the Mater Hospital (10,350 patients). Specific specialties also face significant backlogs: the Mater Hospital has the longest ophthalmology list with 3,193 patients, while Tallaght University Hospital reports 2,423 patients awaiting orthopaedic procedures.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) is also experiencing substantial demand, with 1,682 patients waiting for paediatric respiratory medicine, and 215 patients awaiting spinal surgery, including scoliosis treatment.
Focus Shifts to Waiting Times, Not Just Numbers
The Department of Health has responded to the figures by emphasizing that waiting time, rather than the total number of patients on lists, is a more crucial metric. Officials point to a 58% reduction – approximately 164,000 patients – waiting over 12 months since September 2021, and a 46% (5.6 months) improvement in average wait times. However, the department acknowledges that waiting list volumes remain an important indicator of performance.
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster stated that the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was correct to criticize patient flow issues in regional hospitals, and that improvements are being made. Gloster also highlighted that 82% of patients on waiting lists at the start of January 2025 were no longer waiting by the end of December 2025, indicating a high rate of patient throughput.
A reformed approach to spending the €420 million invested to reduce waiting times is underway, moving away from “third-party insourcing” towards more sustainable solutions. Gloster expressed confidence that over 82% of current patients will be seen and treated by the end of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current total number of patients on hospital waiting lists?
As of the end of December, there were 894,369 patients waiting to be seen at an outpatient clinic, or for an operation in the country’s hospitals.
How many patients are waiting longer than 18 months for inpatient or day case procedures?
Currently, 7,540 adults and 510 children are waiting more than 18 months for inpatient or day case procedures.
What is the Department of Health’s primary focus regarding waiting lists?
The Department of Health states that reducing waiting times, rather than solely focusing on the total number of patients on lists, is the most important metric for assessing the performance of the health service.
As the healthcare system continues to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen whether the implemented strategies will be sufficient to significantly reduce waiting times and improve patient access to care.
