Waiting Times Standards
Delivering against the waiting time standards will require innovation and collaborative working with referring Boards to ensure a consistent approach in providing access to services and to ensure patients receive the most appropriate treatment within the shortest waiting time.
The current waiting time standards are:
- 18 Weeks Referral to Treatment for 90% of patients
- 12 weeks for new outpatient consultations
- 6 weeks for eight key diagnostic tests and investigations
- 4 weeks for Angiography
The legal 12 week Treatment Time Guarantee (from date agreement is reached to commence treatment)
The eight key diagnostic tests and investigations are:
- Upper endoscopy
- Lower endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Cystoscopy
- CT (computer tomography)
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
- Ultrasound
- Barium Studies
Exclusions from the 18 Weeks Referral to Treatment Standard include:
- Direct referrals to Allied Health Professionals
- Assisted conception services
- Dental treatment provided by undergraduate dental students
- Designated national specialist service for Scoliosis
- Direct access referrals to Diagnostic Services where the referral is not part of a ‘straight to test’ referral pathway
- Genitourinary medicine
- Homeopathy
- Obstetrics
- Organ and Tissue transplants
- Mental Health
- Exceptional aesthetic procedures
