Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
285 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in arranging an appointment with a hospital consultant for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that it is an urgent case and their general practitioner is anxious that they receive treatment as soon as possible; and if they can avail of the national treatment purchase fund. [13524/04]
View answerResponsibility for the provision of services for residents of County Kilkenny is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked its CEO to investigate the matter and to reply directly to the Deputy.
The NTPF was established to arrange treatment for patients who have been waited the longest to be admitted to hospital for an elective procedure. A patient must be seen by a hospital consultant as an outpatient before being put on a waiting list. The fund does not arrange treatment for patients that have not been seen by a consultant.
