Finian McGrath
Question:235 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults and children on hospital waiting lists for surgery; and the plans he has to reduce the waiting lists for 2004. [29016/03]
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
The total number of adults and children waiting for surgical procedures either as an in-patient or as a day case as at 30 June 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, was 19,177 and 2,060 respectively.
Last week I announced that the national treatment purchase fund will be assuming the lead role in targeting reductions in waiting times for patients. To date, the NTPF has arranged treatments for approximately 9,000 patients. Based on the findings of a survey undertaken by the NTPF, satisfaction among those patients who have availed of the services being provided by the NTPF appears to be very high.
I am confident that having a single funding stream through the NTPF to reduce waiting times for patients will ensure an efficient use of resources and guarantee good value for money from the funding being provided.