A South East TD says the lack of urology services at University Hospital Waterford is a dangerous situation which must be addressed immediately by the Health Minister.
One of the findings in a report to Government from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association says some patients at UHW are waiting for nine years for an appointment with a urologist.
The Irish Times says the report added that there was clear evidence the Republic's acute hospitals were beginning to fail.
In University Hospital, Waterford, just two consultant urologists serve a population of half a million. At the moment there is a nine-year waiting list for an outpatient appointment. At a minimum, the service requires an additional three consultants, three registrars, three senior house officers and two interns.
Cancellations are an ongoing problem at UHW with about 30 operations to treat an enlarged prostate cancelled in the past six months.
A large number of older male patients are languishing on waiting lists with no realistic prospect of being operated on in the short or medium term.
