The number of people waiting to see a specialist for the first time at University Hospital Waterford has increased by more than 1,000 since the end of January.

Almost 39,000 people are on the outpatient list at UHW with more than a quarter waiting for more than a year and a half.

According to the national treatment purchase fund 38,970 people were waiting on an outpatient appointment at University Hospital Waterford on the 28th of Feburary.

10,630 of those patients were on the list for 18 months or more at that stage.

It’s one of the worst figures in the country – Waterford is second behind the three children’s hospitals in Dublin who have 12,000 waiting more than a year and a half between them.

8,943 people are waiting for an Ear, Nose and Throat appointment in Waterford 3,437 of those have been on the list for 18 month or more. It’s the highest figure in the country.

6,604 people are on the Orthopaedic list, it’s second only to Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.

UHW is also second behind Limerick for Dermatology and third on the list for respiratory medicine.