140. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the specific targets in place to reduce waiting times for gynaecology services over 2026 and 2027, in light of the continued increase in referrals; the factors informing these targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52183/26]

It is acknowledged that many women are waiting too long for gynaecology appointments. I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.

I published the Waiting Time Action Plan (WTAP) for 2026 as part of this Government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to hospital care and reducing waiting times for all patients.

Since the commencement of the multi-annual Action Plan approach in September 2021, significant progress has been made in reducing the length of time patients are waiting.

With the 2026 plan, we will continue to build upon the progress delivered to date under the multi annual action plan approach, moving towards the ultimate vision of a public healthcare service in which everyone has timely access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it.

To improve access to services and ensure a more sustainable gynaecology service, the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) has developed an Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care which centres on the establishment of a network of one-stop “see and treat” ambulatory gynaecology clinics. The development of ambulatory gynaecology clinics is:

• helping to improve access to gynaecology services;

• reducing the requirement for multiple gynaecology appointments;

• ensuring sustainability of service provision into the future given the very significant waiting lists for this specialty;

• and importantly, helping to improve clinical outcomes.

It is estimated that approximately 30%-40% of general gynaecology referrals are suitable for management in the ambulatory setting. Developing ambulatory clinics is integral to help reduce the need for women to have multiple gynaecology appointments for a single episode of care, as is currently the case with the traditional model of care following GP referral.

In 2024 there were 20,097 new patients seen in ambulatory clinics, increasing by 21% to 24,336 new patients in 2025 which will increase further in 2026 as the service expands.

There are currently 19 “see and treat” ambulatory gynaecology clinics open and more in development, which will ultimately result in 21 ambulatory gynaecology clinics nationally.

These clinics are having a direct impact on overall gynaecology waiting lists and times.

In May 2026, 77% of women were waiting six months or less for a gynaecology outpatient appointment in comparison to 55% in September 2021. This is despite overall general gynaecology referrals more than doubling from just over 50,000 in 2020 to almost 110,000 in 2025.

The waiting time targets for gynaecology appointments for 2026, and for all specialities, as set out in the 2026 WTAP include:

• Increasing the proportion of patients waiting less that the Sláintecare wait time targets to 50% for outpatient appointments and inpatient & day case procedures; and to 65% for GI Scopes.

• Reducing the weighted average wait time to < 5.5 months for outpatients and inpatient & day case and to < 3.5 months for GI Scopes; and

• Having 90% of patients waiting less than 12 months for first access to outpatient services.

In 2026, through extended service hours and additional capacity, we will continue to reduce the length of time people are waiting for planned care, bringing us closer to the Sláintecare target of no patient waiting more than 10 weeks for an OPD appointment or more than 12 weeks for an IPDC procedure.