Almost 4,000 more people waiting to see a consultant in Waterford in 2019

Almost 4,000 more people were waiting to see a consultant in Waterford at the end of 2019 when compared to 2018.

The outpatient list at University Hospital Waterford stood at 40,951 on December 19th.

That's 10 per cent higher than the same time in 2018 when the figure was just under 37,000.

Last year was the worst on record for waiting lists in Waterford since the National Treatment Purchase Fund began publishing the data at the end of 2014.

The total remained above 40,000 for eight months of the year peaking at just over 42,000 in October.

It has been falling slowly since then dropping by 580 between November and December.

Ear, Nose & Throat, Orthopaedics and Dermatology continue to have the longest lists in Waterford.