Dermatology services in Waterford challenged by two unfilled consultant posts

Dermatology services in Waterford are experiencing delays due to a shortage of key consultant staff. University Hospital Waterford reports an average wait of 160 days for first dermatology appointments. Follow-on day-case care adds an additional average wait of 29 days. The HSE attributes the problem to two vacant consultant posts that remain unfilled despite national and international recruitment campaigns. UHW is mitigating the impact by engaging GPs with a special interest in dermatology, sourcing locum consultant dermatologists, and working with training bodies to improve recruitment. From January to May 2026, patients waiting more than four years decreased by 56%, from 734 to 322, and average wait time fell from over 17 months to 15 months. UHW apologises to patients affected by long waiting times.

"Recognising the challenges faced within the speciality of dermatology nationally, the service at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) is currently challenged by two vacant consultant posts, which remain unfilled despite national and international recruitment campaigns."

"To mitigate the situation, UHW is continuing to engage GPs with a special interest in dermatology, source locum consultant dermatologists, and is working closely with training bodies to address recruitment difficulties."

"From January to May 2026, UHW has reduced long waits for this speciality. The number of patients waiting more than four years fell by 56pc, dropping from 734 to 322."

"UHW endeavours to provide the best service it can within resources available and apologises to those affected by long waiting times within this speciality."

Read at Irish Independent