Public patients are waiting six times longer than private patients, for vital heart testing.
According to a report published by Croí, in the Saolta University Healthcare Group the majority of routine waiting times are between 7-12 months.
The report published by the heart and stroke charity also found on average, public patients can expect to wait between six months and a year for an ECG.
In Saolta, one hospital has a routine waiting time of under six months, three between 7-12 months while, two have waiting times in excess of 18 months.
There is also an internal disparity in waiting times within the region covered by the Saolta Group according to Croí.
It terms of urgent care, four hospitals in the Healthcare Group meet the target waiting time of less than 1 month with one between 1-3 months.
The Saolta Group has the highest proportion of accredited cardiac physiologists at 49% however, it also has one of the largest number of staff who are nearing retirement.
The report reveals that 4 echo machines are available for use by hospitals in the region.
The full report is available here
