Change History

DSCN 2019 / 06

Diagnostic & Therapy Services and Referral to Treatment Waiting Times Returns – Sleep Disordered Breathing

DSCN 2018 / 02

Diagnostic and Therapy Services Waiting Times Return

DSCN 2017 / 01

Diagnostic and Therapy Services Waiting Times Return - reinstate a pilot to collect additional diagnostic tests related to cardiology services for a time limited period

DSCN (2007) 12 (W)

To increase the scope of the Diagnostic and Therapy Services Waiting Times data collection to include certain Diagnostic Endoscopy Procedures.

DSCN (2007) 07 (W)

Proposal for the increase in scope to the Diagnostic and Therapy Services Waiting Times

DSCN (2007) 04 (W)

New Format for the Diagnostics & Therapies Services Monthly Data Collections.

DSCN 52/03 (W)

Monthly Collection of Information on Waiting Times for Specified Diagnostic and Therapy Services

Data Set / Collection

Valid From

Valid To

APC ds99

1^st April 1999

DT Waiting Times

Service

Service Sub Heading

Additional Information

Valid From

Valid To

Arts Therapies

Learning Disabilities

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st April 2004

Mental Health

1^st April 2004

Audiology

(Adult Hearing Aids)

Consultant

A hearing aid is described as an externally worn electrical listening device.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date their hearing aid is fitted.

1^st April 2004

GP

1^st April 2004

Cardiology

Stress Test / Exercise Tolerance Test

A stress test is a non-invasive procedure to record the heart's electrical activity during exercise.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2004

Echo Cardiogram

An echo cardiogram is a non-invasive ultrasound procedure used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2004

24 Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring

A non-invasive method of obtaining blood pressure readings over a 24 hour period.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

Blood Pressure Monitoring

A recording over 24 hours or more of patient’s blood pressure readings by the fitting of a monitor.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

24 Hour Tape / Holter

A 24 hour tape or holter continuously records the hearts rhythms over a 24 hour period.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

Heart Rhythm Recording

Any recording of heart rhythm made over a period of 24 hours or more requiring a patient to be fitted or implanted with a recorder and a period of analysis and reporting to be undertaken.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Cardiac Computed Tomography (Cardiac CT)

Cardiac computed tomography is a non-invasive test that uses an x-ray machine to take clear, detailed pictures of the heart.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

Cardiac computed tomography is an investigation undertaken using a high resolution fast acquisition ECG gated CT scanner to image the heart especially the coronary arteries

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Cardiac MRI)

Heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not use radiation (x-rays).

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

1^st April 2018

Doppler Stress Echocardiogram (DSE)

A stress echo test uses ultrasound technology to assess the flow of blood through vessels in the heart.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015

31^st July 2015

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (DSE)

A dobutamine stress echo is an ultrasound imaging technique used to assess the heart when myocardial oxygen demand is increased using either physical or pharmacological stress. 

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Myocardial Perfusion Scanning

A myocardial perfusion scan uses a small amount of a radioactive chemical to see how well blood flows to the muscles of the heart (the myocardium)

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

A myocardial perfusion scan uses a gamma camera to image the heart using a small amount of radioactive isotope to assess how well blood flows to the muscle of the heart (the myocardium)

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Diagnostic Angiography

Angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

Angiography is an x-ray guided medical imaging technique used to visualize the inside, or lumen, of blood vessels and organs of the body, with particular interest in the arteries, veins, and the heart chambers.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Diagnostic Electrophysiology (EP Study)

An electrophysiology study is a minimally invasive procedure that tests the electrical conduction system of the heart to assess the electrical activity and conduction pathways of the heart.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

An electrophysiology study is an x-ray guided procedure that investigates the electrical conduction system of the heart to assess the electrical activity and conduction pathways.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Trans Oesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE)

A trans oesophageal test is a type of echocardiogram test in which the ultrasound transducer, positioned on an endoscope, is guided down the patient's throat into the oesophagus.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st February 2015*

31^st July 2015*

1^st April 2017**

31^st March 2018**

A trans oesophageal echocardiogram is a type of echocardiogram in which the ultrasound transducer, is guided down the patient's throat into the oesophagus and stomach to allow for clearer imaging of certain cardiac and surrounding structures.

Waiting times from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they have been referred is carried out.

1^st April 2018

Diagnostic Endoscopy

Gastroscopy

Endoscopy is the direct visual examination of any part of the interior of the body by means of an optical viewing instrument.

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

1^st September 2007

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

1^st September 2007

Colonoscopy

1^st September 2007

Cystoscopy

1^st September 2007

Bronchoscopy

1^st September 2007

Dietetics 

Adults

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st April 2004

Paediatrics

1^st April 2004

Imaging

Fluoroscopy

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique commonly used by physicians to obtain real-time images of the internal structures of a patient through the use of a fluoroscope.

1^st April 2007

Neurophysiology

Electromyography

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure that measures the electrical activity of the muscle to gather information about the muscular system.

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

1^st April 2007

Nerve conduction studies

Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) measure the function of the peripheral nervous system, i.e. nerves and muscles.

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

1^st April 2007

Occupational Therapy

Adults

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st April 2004

Paediatrics

1^st April 2004

Learning Disabilities

1^st April 2004

Mental Health

1^st April 2004

Physiological measurement

Limited Channel Cardio-respiratory Sleep Study (Polygraphy)

1^st June 2019

31^st May 2020

Overnight Pulse Oximetry

1^st June 2019

31^st May 2020

Urodynamic tests

Urodynamics is an umbrella term describing physiological measurements of the bladder and urethra's ability to fulfil these functions, including pressures & flows.

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

1^st April 2007

Vascular technology

Used to detect abnormalities within the vascular system, assisting a physician's diagnosis and decisions to treat surgically or otherwise.

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

1^st April 2007

Physiotherapy

Adults

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st April 2004

Paediatrics

1^st April 2004

Podiatry

Urgent

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st April 2004

Routine

1^st April 2004

Radiology –    GP Referral

Barium Enema

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they are waiting is carried out

1^st April 2004

Computed Tomography

1^st April 2004

21^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Computed Tomography

1^st April 2018

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1^st April 2004

31^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1^st April 2018

Non-Obstetric Ultrasound

1^st April 2004

Nuclear Medicine

1^st April 2004

31^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Nuclear Medicine

1^st April 2018

Radiology – Consultant Referral

Barium Enema

Waiting time from waiting list date until census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the date the diagnostic test for which they are waiting is carried out

1^st April 2004

Computed Tomography

1^st April 2004

31^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Computed Tomography

1^st April 2018

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

1^st April 2004

31^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1^st April 2018

Non-Obstetric Ultrasound

1^st April 2004

Nuclear Medicine

1^st April 2004

31^st March 2018

Non Cardiac Nuclear Medicine

1^st April 2018

Speech & Language

Adults

Waiting time from waiting list date until the census date.

Patients are removed from the waiting list on the Date of Commencement of Episode Care (Diagnostic and Therapy Services.)

1^st September 2004

Paediatrics

1^st September 2004

Learning Disabilities

1^st September 2004

Mental Health

1^st September 2004