There has been a further rise in the number of patients on public hospital waiting lists.
The latest figures, which were published last night, show that in May, there were over 851,700 waiting for treatment, or a first meeting with a consultant for an outpatient appointment.
The number of patients waiting for a first outpatient appointment is 624,444.
The overall figure is up by over around 1,700 patients on the April figures, from the National Public Treatment Purchase Fund.
Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients Association has said that it is important to note that the NPFF data is not for the full month of May as it ends on 26 May.
