Northern Ireland Health: Waiting list patient communication 'in disarray'

The system for communicating with patients on healthcare waiting lists in Northern Ireland is in disarray, the Public Services Ombudsman has found.

Its year-long investigation found that significant and repeated failures in updating patients amounted to "systematic maladministration".

The ombudsman urged the Department of Health (DoH) to work with trusts, GPs and others to address the failings.

DoH said it appreciated the distress and frustration of patients on lists.

The investigation found that failures by trusts across Northern Ireland to follow guidance meant that patients were given little or no information once a referral had been made. 

Commenting on the findings, Ombudsman Margaret Kelly said the investigation found a waiting list system "which is in disarray and sometimes even chaos".

"There is a lack of coherence between the different parts of the system, a lack of clear communication, and a lack of an overall agreed plan for improvement."

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Source: BBC News,15 June 2023