Patient care

At the end of 2019, access to treatment within the time limits specified by law declined for patients in line for inpatient care but improved for patients in line for outpatient care, compared to 2018.

At the end of 2019, there were 1,121 patients who had been waiting for inpatient care for more than 6 months. At the corresponding time in 2018, there were 497.

At the end of 2019, there were 1,918 patients who had been waiting for non-urgent outpatient examinations and care for more than 3 months. At the corresponding time in 2018, there were 2,549.

Medical service production FS 2018 FS 2019 Change % FS 2019 / FS 2018
Availability of treatment and access to treatment
– Number of referrals (elective) 315,391 330,189 4.7%
– Referral processing time >21 days, no. of cases 4,544 5,245 15.4%
> 21 days, number of cases on Dec 31, 2018 4,544
– Patients waiting for inpatient care 1)
over 6 months 497 1,121 125.6%
total 16,960 17,827 5.1%
over 6 months as at Dec 31, 2018 497
– Patients waiting for outpatient care 1)
over 3 months 2,549 1,918 −24.8%
total 28,640 28,401 −0.8%
over 3 months as at Dec 31, 2018 2,549

1) Patients covered by the Care Guarantee