Public waiting list times

[kissmelittleass]

Glad I found this topic didn't knew it existed!!
Anyway has anyone experience of waiting times on public list?
My sister was referred to see a gastroenterologist in October 2018 and is still waiting it's for a chat about her symptoms and a possible gastroscopy, she was also referred in October 2019 to the same department for a colonoscopy.
The doctor keeps saying we will write to them or ring the secretary.
She has no health insurance, doesn't have a medical card but has a GP card to see her doctor.
The waiting time seems diabolical it's disgusting, I'm wondering is this normal and if anyone else has had such a long wait here in Ireland?

That is appalling @kissmelittleass.

Contact your local government TD or a gobby Opposition TD

Failing that ring Joe Duffy on Liveline.

I have VHI and was seen very quickly for a colonoscopy.

I am disgusted at the disparity in treatment.
The wait could be life limiting ultimately.

I'm so sorry she is waiting that long. My father had a colonoscopy recently and wasn't waiting long at all. He has no health insurance just his over 70s medical card.

@LadyEloise @SparkyBlue Thanks for reply I know it's an awful long time to wait I can't believe she was first referred 21!!! months ago !!! and not a word! As I said she was referred back to the same department 9 months ago for another reason an colonoscopy referral and has heard nothing about either appointment.
I don't think ringing the secretary will get her anywhere tbh but I'll encourage her to ring and see.
It's awful because she can't afford health insurance but has enough money coming in that she is not eligible for a medical card.
I wonder what other people do in her position? It's very worrying!

I'm not really in a position to help her I'm struggling myself with the pandemic downfall but any idea how much it would cost for her to see a consultant? And a private colonoscopy?

Please please contact your local politician who is well known to be vocal and will speak up for you and investigate.
This should not happen.
Your sister deserves to see a specialist asap.

Tell your sister to get back onto her doctor and for the doctor to get onto the hospital. There will always be places available, also there are cancellations.
If all else fails, if she is having a flare up of her symptoms then she goes to ED. The gastro team in the hospital will either scope her then or she will definitely get her appointment.
I know Corona has impacted on the hospitals but not to that effect.
One way or the other she should of been sent an appointment even if it was for a considerable time away. I'd wonder if it was lost?

Hope she gets sorted.

If she knows the name of the consultant, get her to ring their secretary and ask about her referral. Last time my dad had a big wait like this it turned out the hospital never recieved the referral and he was waiting in pain for 2 years for nothing.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund might apply at this stage. I've availed of this on 2 occasions and was treated in private hospitals and the HSE paid for it. I was contacted about by the HSE.

I've heard about there being 3 waiting lists for HSE treatment, you're on one list waiting to advance to another list etc. It's also worth phoning to check as some people get removed from lists.

www.ntpf.ie/home/about.htm

More Info here

www.ntpf.ie/home/pdf/National%20Waiting%20List%20Management%20Protocol.pdf

@romdowa your poor dad that was awful hope all is well now!
Thank you everyone I swill urge her to contact the secretary but it's hard work she hates to bother anyone!

That sounds really excessive OP. Your poor sister. I would echo trying to follow up yourself - I have done this in the past and like a previous poster, the paperwork never made it to the consultant.

Re private - no direct experience of gastroenterology however most consultants I’ve seen are €200-300 per appointment. There’s an interesting thread on Reddit here which might be helpful.

It’s difficult to find the cost of a colonoscopy however a Kilkenny hospital is quoting €1520 here.

Good luck, I hope she gets seen soon.

Last year the wait times in our HSE area were 3-4 weeks private and 5-8 weeks public for a colonoscopy. Definitely not 21 months or even 21 weeks.