Patient outcomes across Cavan and Monaghan are "suffering" as waiting lists at hospitals in the North-East increase by 40% to over 38,000.
That's according to a report by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association who warned of the ongoing shortage of consultants across many specialties in the North-East.
The report states that orthopaedics, dermatology, gynaecology, and rheumatology outpatient waiting lists in North-East hospitals have increased by 41%, or almost 4,500 additional people, in past seven years.
There are 38,354 people across Counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath waiting for public hospital inpatient/day case treatment, GI endoscopies or an outpatient appointment with a consultant.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Secretary General of the IHCA, Martin Varley, says a quarter of permanent consultant posts "can't be filled."
In addition to this, Mr Varely claims there is an "insufficient" number of hospital beds also.
"Consultants are extremely concerned, delays are not good and a delayed diagnoses of skin or other cancers could occur which is worrying for patients and staff," he said.
Mr Varely added that there is an "absolute need" to try and reduce current waiting lists.
As a result, the IHCA says Government must make good on its promise to provide the extra beds, extra consultants and extra facilities which are "badly needed."
