Waiting lists for diagnostic scan approaches 300,000

A new national plan to tackle waiting lists for diagnostic scans is the demand of one local TD as almost 300,000 people

New figures from the Department of Health reveal that there are 299,736 people across the state waiting for diagnostic scans.

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, believes the figures indicate “the government’s failure to deliver timely access to basic healthcare”.

Deputy Clarke called for investment in equipment and maximum waiting times for patients: “Across the state, almost 300,000 people are stuck waiting on these vital scans, including over 10,000 children on CHI waiting lists.

“These shocking figures show just how badly this government is failing to deliver timely access to basic healthcare.”

Deputy Clarke spoke of the human aspect of the figures: “Behind every statistic is a person - someone worried about their health, waiting in pain or uncertainty for answers that should have come months ago. More than 71,000 people have been waiting for over a year, with 42,000 waiting longer than 18 months. That's simply not acceptable.”

The Longford-Westmeath TD said this is a national issue: “Every corner of the state is affected. In the Dublin and Midlands Region alone, over 77,000 people are waiting. There are 58,665 waiting in the Dublin and North East, 57,487 in the Dublin and South East, 43,922 in the West and North West, 29,813 in the South West, and 22,428 in the MidWest. These are extraordinary numbers, and show how widespread this crisis has become.”

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health said: “Timely access to scans is essential. This is not just an administrative target, it’s a crucial part of a patient’s health journey. Scans help diagnose whether a health problem exists, and they are often the key step that allows care to move to the next stage. Without them, treatment plans are delayed, illnesses can worsen, and patients are left waiting in fear and uncertainty.

“We need a national plan to increase diagnostic capacity right across the health service. That means more scanners, longer opening hours, and more radiographers and radiologists to run them. The technology is no good if we don’t have the people to deliver the service.”

Deputy Clarke said her party has prepared a bill to address the issue: “We also need legislative change to give patients new rights to scans and other appointments within legal timeframes. Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane’s Waiting Lists Bill is due to be debated on 11th December and would oblige the Minister for Health to set reducing targets to achieve the maximum waiting times agreed in Sláintecare. It would also increase Dáil scrutiny of waiting list funding.

“This crisis is not new, but it is getting worse. Patients deserve better - they deserve a health system that sees them quickly, diagnoses them early, and treats them on time. The government must act now to end these unacceptable delays,” she concluded.