Clinical lead appointment welcome but more needs to be done to reduce colonoscopy waiting lists

The Irish Cancer Society has today expressed serious concern at the number of people waiting longer than three months for a colonoscopy.  At the end of November, 3,510 public patients were waiting for over three months for the test, which is used to detect cancer.  This is an increase of 954 people since November 2014, following a rise to a peak of 4,235 in October. Private patients can get the test done within 12 days. The Irish Cancer Society says that colonoscopy waiting times are unacceptable and highlight the health gap between those who can pay and those who cannot. The HSE’s target is that no one should wait for more than 13 weeks for a colonoscopy. Some of the 3,510 patients waiting more than this time will have a cancer that may have advanced because diagnosis was delayed.  Commenting on the recent figures, Head of Advocacy and Communications at the Irish Cancer Society, Kathleen O’Meara said: “The Irish Cancer Society is deeply concerned by the large number of people waiting longer than three months for a colonoscopy.  The HSE is a long way off meeting its target of performing 100% of colonoscopies within 13 weeks. Currently, 41% of patients are waiting longer than three months for the cancer test. The tragic reality is that we can expect some colorectal (bowel) cancers to be diagnosed when the patients on waiting lists eventually receive their colonoscopy.” At one hospital, over 80% have been waiting for longer than three months, and at a further three hospitals, this figure exceeds 60%.   Ms. O’Meara added: “It is evident that long-term solutions are required to solve this ongoing issue. The Irish Cancer Society wants to see adequate investment so there are enough radiographers and gastroenterologists working in Irish hospitals”. “We also want GPs to have clear guidelines for when they should refer a patient for a colonoscopy and when another investigation is better suited”. “Additionally, we are hopeful that hospitals working within the same hospital group will coordinate their colonoscopy workloads so that a situation where endoscopy suites in one hospital are under-utilised while a hospital in the same group is overburdened, is avoided. The figures for November 2015 show an overall drop of 725 in the past month which the Irish Cancer Society says is encouraging but not enough.  Ms. O’Meara said: “While we welcome the drop in the number of people waiting over three months for a colonoscopy from 4,235 in October to 3,510 in November, and we also welcome the appointment of a clinical lead to oversee the work of a National Endoscope Working Group, further action needs to be taken to remedy this persistent problem. It is certainly a move in the right direction but given no one should be waiting more than 13 weeks and the fact that there are still 3,510 public patients waiting more than this time, the drop needs to continue and the underlying problem solved.” “We acknowledge the efforts of the HSE in addressing the issue thus far and understand that through the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), external appointments are being offered to patients waiting longer than 12 months. However, to solve this problem we need longer term solutions.” Anyone who is concerned can contact the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700 to speak to a cancer nurse who can offer information and support.