People attending emergency departments last month waited an average of just under 13 hours to be seen.
That's according to new figures released to Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson and Waterford TD, David Cullinane.
Those under 75 had an average wait of 12 hours, while over 75s waited an average of 15 hours in EDs.
Those attending the emergency department at University Hospital Waterford last month faced an average wait of just under 9 hours.
Those aged over 75, who attended the emergency department at UHW last month, faced an average wait of just over 10 hours.
However, speaking to WLR News, Deputy Cullinane says UHW fared better overall.
"It has been a bit less in University Hospital Waterford, the average wait time in emergency departments in Waterford is under nine hours - which is much less than the national average. Over the past year, we haven't had patients on trolleys in Waterford. I think that's down to the system that has been put in place by management and staff who have worked really well to create additional capacity - but that doesn't mean we don't have problems at University Hospital Waterford. We still have people waiting too long."
Deputy Cullinane says wait times at UHW must be considered in the context of the national situation, with the Irish healthcare system set to be put under further pressure this winter.
"We are in much better shape than when you look at hospitals in Limerick, Cork and some of those in Dublin - because I think if you look statewide, the figures that we're seeing are quite worrying. I think the concern that healthcare professionals will have, is that it's quite unusual to see those peak numbers at this time of the year - and as we go into the winter, we're going to see a really really difficult - maybe the most challenging time that hospitals have seen in our lifetime."
The Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson says any action to address wait times and capacity issues will come too late from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD.
"There are solutions to this - the problem is the Minister has come with a winter plan as the winter is upon us. People know that you can't magically up beds, you can't recruit staff overnight - it takes over a year to recruit a consultant. So, a lot of what the Minister promised that would be put in place for the winter, will not be put in place. Last year, he promised an additional 72 beds as part of the National Service Plan - those beds have still not been implemented. Presenting a plan as winter arrives, it's not what needs to happen."
For all the latest news in Waterford, click here.
