Vol. 561 No. 1
159 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children if spare capacity for routine surgical procedures exists in the NEHB; if the NEHB purchases these services under the national treatment purchase scheme at other locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3168/03]
Responsibility for the provision of services, including surgical procedures, in the North-Eastern Health Board region rests with the North-Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore, requested the chief executive officer of the board to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.
A total of 127 patients from the North-Eastern Health Board region were treated under the national treatment purchase fund in 2002. The treatments which were provided included procedures in the specialties of ENT, urology and vascular surgery. The board is continuing to have eligible patients treated under the fund in 2003.
