Vol. 566 No. 1
536 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on a situation where the national treatment purchase fund is being charged more than private health insurers for treatment in private hospitals, as reported in a publication (details supplied). [12307/03]
Arising from the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is initially concentrating on those adults waiting longer than 12 months for treatment and children waiting longer than six months.
Health boards have been asked to identify patients waiting longest on public hospital waiting lists in order that they can be offered treatment under this initiative. The NTPF negotiates prices with hospitals having regard to the volume and complexity of the work to be undertaken. My Department has been informed by the chief executive of the NTPF that the prices negotiated by the fund compare favourably with the prices charged to the private health insurers.
