“We must not become complacent with abysmal waiting lists” says the Royal College of GPs following a damning report on Northern Ireland’s performance.
The Nuffield Trust study found that the list of people waiting over a year for care in Northern Ireland early this year, is the equivalent of one in 16 - compared to one in 48,524 in England.
But the political vacuum and top down system “where openness about problems is discouraged” go against the changes health care leaders appear keen to implement, it suggests.
Responding to the findings in the Nuffield Trust ‘Change or collapse’ report, RCGPNI Chair Dr Grainne Doran said: “There is little to be proud of when we reflect on our abysmal patient waiting times.
“While attempts have been made to address these in recent years, there have only been pockets of success.
“We simply cannot become complacent and accept that it is the norm to wait for years, in some specialties, for elective care appointments with a consultant.”
Dr Doran added that sufficient workforce numbers continue to be a huge challenge across health and social care, while recruitment is difficult at current levels.
All of this, she said is having a knock on effect on GPs whose workloads have increased - with no sign of a plan to increase their numbers.
“Positive steps forward have certainly been made in supporting patients and GP workload through the introduction of the new multidisciplinary team model, embedded in general practice,” she added.
“However, it essential that this model is fully funded and rolled out across the entire region as soon as possible to ensure equitable services for patients, and equitable support for GP practices.
“Genuine action must be taken to future-proof our health service and to address the serious issues we are currently facing.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Transforming how health and social care services are delivered was always going to be a challenging and long-term task.
“Important progress has been made, notwithstanding the political and budgetary uncertainties of recent years.
“There is a collective determination across the health and social care system to build on that progress and deliver on the transformation agenda.”
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