Gynaecological appointment delays are putting women in danger

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the government to take action immediately over the major backlog in gynaecological appointments.
 
More than 50 women in Tallaght have been waiting for more than six months for a gynaecological appointment and the average waiting time is now 178 days.
 
Teachta Crowe said:
 
“Figures released to my Sinn Féin colleague Sorcha Clarke TD show that there is an astonishing backlog in women trying to access gynaecological appointments. 139 women in Tallaght are currently waiting and the average waiting time is 178 days.
 
“More than 50 women in Tallaght have been waiting for longer than six months. 5 of them have been waiting for more than a year and a half.
 
“This is unacceptable and we are putting women in real danger through inaction and the states inability to ensure their prompt access to vital services.
 
“We also have an unprecedented backlog in breast check and cervical smear tests women need assurance that their health needs will be met. I am urging the Minister for Health to recognise the urgency of intervention here and ensure he acts immediately.
 
“Whatever resources are needed should be immediately put in place to avert this potential crisis before it is too late. 
 
“A year without seeing a gynaecologist could be a year of living with an undetected problem as well as a year of serious anxiety for many. The HSE needs more resources and support to deal with the number of patients they have and the backlog present in gynaecological care adds significant   pressure on already hard pressed medical staff 
 
“We are approaching International Women’s Day and we will hear a lot of people praising the women in their lives, the achievements of women throughout our country and its history and rightly so. However, this praise will all ring hollow if we continue to ignore the serious shortfalls in their healthcare.
 
“I am urging Minister Donnelly to take urgent steps now to give the HSE the necessary resources, investment and support required to ensure this backlog is cleared and women can receive medical treatment in a timely way.”