National Treatment Purchase Fund.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Questions (180)

Liz McManus

Question:

180 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the figures for the highest private percentage of the public elective bed capacity by a consultant in each of the health boards in view of the fact that the medical consultants’ common contract allows a consultant to use 20% of such capacity for private use; the figures for the ten highest consultant beneficiaries under the national treatment purchase fund and their percentage of private bed use in their public hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14846/04]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The information requested in relation to private activity in public hospitals is not readily available. However, I will be back in touch with the Deputy as soon as possible.

The national treatment purchase fund sources operations for patients waiting longest on public waiting lists from private hospitals in Ireland and the UK. Where spare capacity exists in the public hospital sector operations are sourced through the public hospital system in Ireland. I understand that the national treatment purchase fund negotiates, in advance, all-inclusive prices per procedure with hospitals and does not have the information requested by the Deputy in relation to individual consultants.