Ireland’s national hospital waiting lists rose again last month (July 2026), with more than 990,870 patients recorded as waiting for an appointment or treatment.
The total increased by more than 9,500 patients compared with June 2026, according to figures published by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF).
Outpatient appointments continued to account for the largest share. More than 683,540 patients were waiting to attend an outpatient department for the first time at the end of July, up from approximately 673,750 one month earlier.
Almost 36,000 additional patients were classified as suspended. These patients are temporarily unable or medically unfit to attend, or are receiving treatment through insourcing or outsourcing initiatives. They are not included in the principal waiting-list total.
This national increase came as separate figures showed progress in children’s spinal care.
Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) reported that the number of children and young people waiting for spinal surgery had fallen to 199, compared with 231 at the end of July 2025.
Since January, 229 procedures have been added to the surgical waiting list, while 279 spinal operations have been completed. Seven patients have waited between 12 and 15 months, two between 18 and 24 months, and one between 24 and 36 months.
CHI’s spinal outpatient waiting list also declined to 431 patients, down 22.6% from 557 a year earlier. The average wait for a first outpatient appointment fell from 7.4 months to 3.9 months, with 99.5% of patients waiting less than a year.
CHI chief executive Ms Lucy Nugent said the figures demonstrated continued progress in reducing waiting times and helping children receive the care they need. The organisation is aiming to complete 540 spinal procedures by the end of 2026.
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