Mayo University Hospital makes progress on waiting lists despite high attendances

Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has demonstrated a sustained increase in activity and a reduction in waiting lists despite recording very high numbers of patients on trolleys recently.

According to newly-released figures from MUH, there were 61,758 outpatient appointments (new and return) in MUH last year, an increase of 8,690 on the previous year.

The Castlebar-based hospital also saw an increase in referral rates with 16,390 new patients added to the overall waiting list in 2024.

Despite this, its OPD wait lists decreased by 13 percent with a 54 percent decrease in those waiting more than 15 months.

Since late December, the hospital has recorded very high levels of overcrowding in its emergency department.

On January 20, it recorded its highest number of patients on trolleys in its recent history when 38 patients were left on trolleys in wards and in the emergency department.

Last year, a total of 43,625 attended the emergency department, a 10 percent increase on the previous year. In 2023, the hospital achieved a 31 percent reduction in the number of patients waiting on trolleys each day at 8am.

The hospital saw an increase in older people (aged 75 and over) both attending the emergency department and requiring admission to the hospital last year, rising by 14 percent and 13 percent respectively in 2024.

Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at Mayo University Hospital, welcomed the progress made on waiting times.

“We will continue to work with our community colleagues to ensure timely discharge of patients who can continue their care at home or in the community, allowing us to focus on patients’ urgent care needs,” she said.

Mary Warde, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Mayo commended staff across the hospital for their ongoing work in reducing wait lists and improving the patient journey through the hospital.

“Mayo University Hospital remains incredibly busy, both in terms of those attending for acute care and for our patients awaiting follow-up procedures. We continue to focus on providing the best access to care we can and will work hard to capitalise on these improvements. Working closely with community services will allow us to ensure our patients are receiving the best care in the right location,” she said.