UL Hospitals ‘working to reinstate’ ENT training

University of Limerick (UL) Hospitals says it is working to “seek the reinstatement” of ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist training at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), which ceased in 2014 following “departmental issues”.

“We can confirm that recognition for specialist training in otolaryngology was withdrawn on 27 August 2014. It was concluded by the surgical advisory committee that there was an unsatisfactory training environment at University Hospital Limerick due to ENT departmental issues,” a spokesperson for UL Hospitals told the Medical Independent (MI).

“The particular period which led to this training recognition loss in August 2014 included the preceding years of 2012 to 2014. UL Hospitals Group historically had three ENT SpR trainees on the national ENT training scheme.

“We are working to seek the reinstatement of ENT specialist training and in 2019, we successfully reintroduced the GP training scheme into the ENT Department in University Hospital Limerick.”

UHL has one of the highest waiting lists for ENT outpatients appointments in the country. According to data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, UHL had the third-highest waiting list nationally for ENT outpatient appointments, with 5,559 people waiting as of December.

Some 1,495 people were waiting more than 18 months, 530 people were waiting 15-to-18 months, and a further 530 people were waiting 12-to-15 months.

There were 234 people on the inpatient/day case list. Most people were listed as waiting 0-to-three months (131), three-to-six months (59), and six-to-nine months (26).

At press time, MI awaited comment from the RCSI, which is the body responsible for surgical training in Ireland.