Waiting lists for inpatient procedures in University Hospital Waterford are among the highest in the country.
That's according to figures published this morning by the Irish Independent.
There are currently 305 people awaiting procedures such as cataract surgery in Waterford, which compares with 174 in Galway and 14 in Limerick.
Furthermore, waiting times to see a specialist are the highest in Waterford, Tallaght, Beaumont, Cork, and Galway.
The disparity is linked to a range of factors including the volume of referrals, as well as the availability of particular specialists.
Commenting on the rise in patient waiting list figures, Professor Rob Landers, president of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, and Consultant Histopathologist in UHW said: "There is nothing to suggest we won't be in the same position come December 2024 due to bed and theatre capacity."
The nationwide increase has been attributed to population increase and an ageing population, however officials from the Department of Health say, "while we have had significant investment in our hospitals since 2016, the increase in activity has not matched the increase in resources."
