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About CareCompass

What we do

CareCompass transforms Ireland's publicly available hospital waiting list data into a clear, searchable dashboard. We help patients, GPs, and healthcare professionals understand waiting times across specialties and hospitals — so they can make informed decisions about referral options.

Data source

All data is sourced directly from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), published monthly on data.gov.ie. The NTPF collects and publishes Inpatient/Day Case (IPDC) and Outpatient (OP) waiting list figures for every public hospital in Ireland, broken down by specialty.

We do not alter, estimate, or editorialize the source data. Where we compute derived metrics (median wait estimates, rankings, trends), the methodology is documented below.

Methodology

Time band distribution

The NTPF publishes patient counts in five time bands: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, and 18+ months. We display these directly as reported.

Estimated median wait

We estimate the median waiting time using linear interpolation across the time band distribution. This is an approximation — the actual median depends on the precise distribution of patients within each band, which is not published. The estimate gives a reasonable indication but should not be taken as exact.

Rankings

Hospitals are ranked by total waiting list size for each specialty. A lower total means a shorter queue on average, but individual wait times depend on clinical urgency, referral pathway, and hospital capacity. Rankings are descriptive, not prescriptive.

Trend indicators

Month-over-month changes compare the current month's total with the previous month's total. Year-over-year changes compare with the same month in the prior year. A decrease indicates the queue is shrinking; an increase indicates it is growing.

What the numbers do NOT mean

  • A shorter waiting list does not guarantee a shorter individual wait time.
  • Rankings do not reflect the quality of care at any hospital.
  • We do not provide medical advice. Always speak to your GP about your referral options.
  • Data is updated monthly. It represents a point-in-time snapshot, not a real-time view.

Important disclaimer

CareCompass is an information platform. We are not a healthcare provider and do not offer medical advice. The data presented is sourced from official NTPF publications and is provided “as is” for informational purposes only. Always consult your GP or healthcare professional for personalised advice about your treatment options.

Contact

Questions or feedback? Email us at hello@carecompass.health