Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has raised serious concerns about the extensive waiting lists at the Centre for Obesity Management in St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown. The clinic, one of only two public facilities in Ireland offering specialised multi-disciplinary obesity treatment, is struggling to cope with demand.
Figures shared with Deputy Brady reveal that 5,442 patients are currently on the waiting list for the clinic, with 703 of these individuals waiting over four years. Alarmingly, some patients have been waiting for as long as seven years. Despite this, the clinic operates with just 4.4 dietitian positions.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Brady said:
According to the HSE, 23% of Ireland’s population is obese. This is an alarming figure that places immense pressure on an already overstretched health service. The HSE has an obligation to prioritise prevention and early intervention in tackling public health challenges like obesity.
The model of care for managing obesity promotes a multi-disciplinary approach, addressing factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and socioeconomic circumstances. However, the resources allocated to this clinic are woefully inadequate to meet the demand.
Many constituents have contacted me about their inability to secure an appointment at the Centre for Obesity Management. Some have been waiting up to seven years while their health continues to deteriorate.
Patients are becoming so desperate that they are considering traveling abroad for expensive surgical procedures, despite the financial burden and the risks to their health. Tragically, some Irish people have died following medical procedures carried out overseas.
For those left waiting, the stress, anxiety, and worsening physical and mental health are taking a heavy toll. It is unacceptable that patients are being forced into this situation.
The staff at the clinic are doing everything possible within their limited resources. Effective treatment plans and procedures are in place, but there simply aren’t enough staff to manage the volume of patients.
It is disgraceful that nearly 5,500 people are on the waiting list, with hundreds waiting over four years. I have been raising this issue with the Minister for Health since 2022, but my calls for additional resources have fallen on deaf ears.
I am once again urging the Minister and the HSE to act now and provide the funding and staffing needed to ensure that those on the waiting list can finally access the treatment they urgently require.” ENDS