There are more than 2,600 women across the north west waiting to see a gynaecologist.
That’s according to figures released by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
It found that 1,773 women were waiting for a gynaecologist appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital and a further 864 in Sligo.
Of these, 509 are waiting 18 months or more.
The long waiting times are being attributed to difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.
Dr. Rhona Mahony, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, says the country’s young doctors are leaving to work elsewhere.
There are almost 30,000 waiting across the country for an appointment, which is a 4.4% increase on the same time last year.
The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has a launched a new campaign highlighting the length of time people are forced to wait.
Laura Durkan, Vice President of the IHCA, says recruiting and retaining consultants is a major issue.
