THE number of patients outsourced from University Hospital Waterford to private providers, in an effort to achieve the National Waiting List targets, almost doubled over the space of two years.

According to a PQ response received by Sinn Féin Deputy David Cullinane in 2013 there were 3,085 patients referred to privately-operated bodies; while in 2015 this figure rose to 6,023.

“The HSE has justified this by saying that waiting times have been reduced as a result,” he said.

Deputy Cullinane slammed the Government for its continued under-funding of UHW, with ongoing capacity issues crippling essential services and adding to the cost burden of patients.

He added in the absence of targeted investment the “stop-gap” measure of referrals has turned into standard practice with negative consequences.

“These referrals are an added cost to the State with no long-term public investment to show for it.

“The obvious solution is to invest in University Hospital Waterford, as only investment can address the capacity issues and create a proper facility for one of the major urban and rural populations in the State.

“It is clear that there is a need for the hospital to expand to meet the health needs of Waterford and I will be calling upon the minister to address the issue as an urgent priority,” the Deputy concluded.