The number of public patients awaiting heart surgery has increased by 8% in the past year, in spite of Health Minister James Reilly's initiative to clear treatment waiting lists.

Latest figures provided to irishhealth.com by the Department of Health show that a total of 297 patients were awaiting cardiac surgery at the end of December, compared to 274 in December 2011 at a time when treatment waiting lists for most other specialties are falling.

The number of patients waiting between three and 12 months for heart surgery increased from 142 to 147 between December 2011 and December 2012.

The numbers waiting between six and 12 months for surgery increased from 44 to 56 during that period.

The numbers waiting between zero and three months increased from 132 to 150 during the same period.

Asked about the increase in heart surgery waits, the Department told irishhealth.com there are many factors that influence the actual numbers of people waiting, for example ageing population, better diagnosis, more people suitable for surgery etc.

"The increase in numbers means the health service is providing the service to more people. The most important fact is that despite the increase in numbers waiting, the actual waiting times for these patients is coming down," a Department spokesperson said.

Minister Reilly's waiting list initiative, led by his Special Delivery Unit, has led to cuts in the total number of patients waiting over three months for treatment across all specialties by 40% in 2012, and has made major inroads into numbers waiting over nine months and 12 months for procedures.

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