Vol. 561 No. 1
123 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the targets were met in the national health strategy for reducing hospital waiting lists for 2002; the targets for 2003; if he expects them to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3418/03]
157 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made towards eliminating hospital waiting lists within two years, in regard to the commitment given on 6 May 2002; his views on whether this target will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3422/03]
The target set out in the national health strategy states that by the end of 2004 all public patients requiring admission to hospital will be scheduled to commence treatment within a maximum of three months of referral from an out-patient department. Intermediate targets have been set to achieve this aim to ensure that the focus is being turned towards the long waiters. Waiting list data in respect of the quarter ending December 2002 is being collated at present by my Department.
Considerable progress has been made in reducing waiting times for public patients in 2002. The total number of children waiting for more than six months for in-patient treatment has fallen by 24% between June and September 2002. The total number of adults waiting for more than 12 months for in-patient treatment in the nine target surgical specialties covered by the waiting list initiative has fallen by 15% between June and September 2002.
While the waiting list initiative will continue to fund additional elective activity, the dedicated national treatment purchase fund is being used to target those waiting longest for treatment. Funding of €43.8 million has been provided in 2003 for the waiting list initiative and a further €30.75 million has been provided for the national treatment purchase fund. To date approximately 2,300 long waiters have received treatment under the national treatment purchase fund.
