Waiting List Improvements

We are transforming the patient experience through strategic reforms and innovative approaches to scheduled care. Our commitment is to ensure timely and efficient healthcare services for all patients awaiting treatment.

Access Accelerator

The Access Accelerator is a new HSE initiative from Access and Integration, delivered in collaboration with HSE Spark and the Department of Health. This call aims to reduce waiting times through frontline-led innovation in four key clinical areas: 

  • Dermatology 
  • Ophthalmology
  • Otolaryngology (ENT) 
  • Plastic Surgery

As Ireland moves toward Regional Health Areas (RHAs) and delivers on the Sláintecare vision, the Access Accelerator supports the creation of integrated care pathways that ensure people can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

About the Call:

We are seeking innovations that will: 

  • Deliver measurable reductions in waiting times. 
  • Demonstrate a clear path to scaling across the wider health system.
  • Support more timely, efficient, and person-centred access to care.

Projects can come from any stage of innovation; from proven local successes to new, disruptive models of care.

Project Categories:

Category 1: Building on Proven Success – Supporting projects that have already shown positive results at site level and are ready to be sustained or spread.

Category 2: Optimisation / Low-Disruption – Innovations that can be integrated into existing care pathways with minimal change.

Category 3: Transformative / High-Impact Pilots – Ambitious innovations that may challenge how things are currently done but could deliver major benefits if the system evolves to support them.

Funding Available:

  • Up to €50,000 for smaller-scale or optimisation projects 
  • Up to €100,000 for larger-scale or multi-site projects
  • €100,000+ for transformative pilots requiring more extensive testing

Key Dates:

Call Opens: 23 October 2025

Information Webinar: 7 November

Applications Close: 19 November 2025

Pitch Week: 8 December 2025

Funding Decisions Announced: 19 December 2025

Apply Now

Applications are open to HSE and Section 38 staff working in the public health system. Projects must be clinician-led, and multidisciplinary teams (clinical, non clinical, operational) are encouraged.

Please review the relevant guidance document for your clinical area before applying:

Access Accelerator Guidance Document Dermatology (PDF, size 1.5 MB, 8 pages)

Access Accelerator Guidance Document Ophthalmology (PDF, size 1.7 MB, 8 pages)

Access Accelerator Guidance Document ENT (PDF, size 1.2 MB, 8 pages)

Access Accelerator Guidance Document Plastic Surgery (PDF, size 1.1 MB, 8 pages)

When ready, submit your proposal through the Access Accelerator Application Form.

Need Help? Please see our recent Webinar which provides more Information on the Application: Join the information webinar on 7th November

Connect with the Access and Integration team at Access.Programme@hse.ie or contact the team at Spark@hse.ie for support.

Central Referrals Office (CRO)

Streamlining care with CRO

The Central Referrals Office (CRO) is a key component in our mission to streamline patient care. By centralising all referrals, including those from GPs, consultants, and specialist clinics, the CRO ensures that each patient's needs are assessed, prioritised, and addressed promptly.

Centralisation of referral receipt, which is the first step in the CRO process, has been mandated in all hospitals for all specialities since the 2024 Waiting List Action Plan. Centralised pooling of waiting lists is the next crucial step in ensuring patients have timely access to care.

Central Referrals National Guidance Document (PDF, size 3.1 MB, 50 pages)

Central Referrals Office National Guidance Document (PDF, size 4 MB, 78 pages)

Contact Details

For more information please email Access.programme@hse.ie