Nearly one million hospital appointments have been cancelled by the HSE since January 2022, according to new figures released to Waterford TD and Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane.

At University Hospital Waterford (UHW), the number of cancelled appointments has more than doubled, rising from 2,123 in 2022 to 5,447 in 2024.

According to the HSE data, an average of 257,000 appointments have been cancelled each year across the State since 2022. The total number of cancellations is expected to exceed one million by the end of 2025.

Nationally, St James’s Hospital in Dublin cancelled almost 20,000 appointments last year, compared with 15,000 in 2022. St Vincent’s University Hospital and the Mater Hospital each recorded around 30,000 cancellations in 2024.

Cancellations have also doubled across the HSE South West Hospital Group since 2022.

Deputy Cullinane said the figures showed the impact of overcrowding, staff shortages, and delays in expanding hospital capacity. Saying

“These figures are appalling but not surprising,”

Cancellations a result of under investment

Deputy Cullinane added that many hospitals have to cancel appointments due to a lack of staff, beds, and general capacity. Commenting

“The system is running to stand still due to a lack of investment and reform in key areas”

He also pointed to the increase in cancellations at Waterford as evidence of growing pressure on regional hospitals.

“Waterford used to be on top of this problem, but the numbers have more than doubled in two years,”

He called on the Government to increase recruitment targets, fund new hospital beds, and deliver long promised elective hospitals to relieve pressure on acute care.

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.