Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
800 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the numbers of patients from each health board area who were treated under the national treatment purchase scheme in each year since its inception; the number treated in each location abroad; the effect on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2268/04]
View answerSignificant progress has been made in many health boards areas to achieve the target of no adult waiting longer than 12 months and no child waiting longer than six months. This has been achieved through active management of long waiting lists at a local level and the involvement of the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF. Up to the end of December 2003, more than 9,700 patients have already received treatment through the NTPF predominantly in private hospitals in Ireland. All boards outside of the eastern region are reporting that, in general, those adults currently reported to be waiting more than 12 months and those children reported to be waiting more than six months have either been offered treatment under the NTPF or have conditions that are complicated and need to be treated locally.
With regard to the specific numbers treated in each health board and abroad, my Department has asked the chief executive of the national treatment purchase fund to reply directly to the Deputy.
