Plan to tackle hospital waiting lists to be launched this morning

Health officials are launching a plan to tackle the country's hospital waiting lists this morning.

Over 166,000 people have been waiting over 18 months for an inpatient or outpatient procedure.

Officials from the HSE, the Department of Health and the National Treatment Purchase Fund will outline how the lists will be cut this year.

Stephen McMahon, from the Irish Patients Association, says one person must be responsible.