Vol. 574 No. 5
195 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients who have been treated to date under the treatment purchase scheme; the combined costs of such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27775/03]
The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is used for the purpose of treating public patients who have been waiting longest for treatment. To date, more than 8,000 patients have received treatment under the NTPF. The fund has the capacity to treat up to 800 patients per month predominantly in Ireland and in four hospitals in the UK. The NTPF will continue to identify capacity to treat those public patients who have been waiting longest for treatment.
